Tragedy in Plateau: Slain ECWA Pastor and Family Laid to Rest Amidst Growing Outcry Over Insecurity


-By Ruben Mario Brodrick 

​The burial of Reverend Ayuba Choji, his wife, and their two children on Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Kwi, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, marked a somber chapter for the Middle Belt region following their brutal murder earlier that week. The family was killed in the early hours of Monday, April 27, when suspected Fulani militants surrounded their home in Gako village within the Rim community, executing an attack that has once again plunged the local area into mourning and confusion.

 Rev. Choji was a dedicated minister serving under the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Bukuru District Church Council, and his death has ignited a wave of grief and outrage among his congregation, relatives, and the broader Christian community in Nigeria.

​In the wake of this tragedy, the leadership of ECWA has voiced strong condemnation regarding the persistent insecurity that continues to claim innocent lives across the nation. Speaking at the conclusion of the 73rd General Church Council meeting in Jos, ECWA President Rev. Dr. Job Ayuba Bagat Malam expressed profound grief over the escalating violence, noting that such "tragic and unacceptable developments" underscore a severe deficit in effective government protection for vulnerable citizens. The Council highlighted that these security challenges are no longer isolated incidents but are reported across all six geopolitical zones, necessitating a shift from official lamentation toward "decisive, coordinated, and measurable action."

​Beyond the immediate call for government intervention, the Church Council emphasized the importance of community-based vigilance as a first line of defense against extremist elements. The burial has also highlighted a growing humanitarian crisis; local leaders point out that targeted attacks on spiritual heads often lead to a "leadership vacuum," forcing inhabitants to flee and turning agricultural hubs into ghost towns. This displacement threatens the food security of Plateau State and the stability of the entire region.

​Looking toward the future, the ECWA leadership urged its members to become active participants in the upcoming 2027 general elections, arguing that the involvement of principled individuals is essential to addressing leadership deficits and ensuring good governance. The news of the Choji family’s death coincides with surging international advocacy, including recent "End the Genocide in Nigeria" campaigns in global hubs like New York City. 

Amidst the tears shed at the graveside, the overarching message remains one of a demand for justice, a plea for divine guidance, and a call for Nigerian citizens to remain peaceful yet proactive in the face of ongoing instability.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Breaking: Agbor Catholic Community Mourns as Fr. Chukwuma Collapses, Dies on the Pulpit During New Year Mass

Image
-​By Ruben Mario Brodrick  The Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku and the entire Ika nation have been plunged into deep mourning following the sudden and poetic transition of one of their most dedicated spiritual pillars, Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Chukwuma . In an event that has left the congregation of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Boji-Boji Agbor, in a state of shock and solemn reflection, the beloved cleric breathed his last while performing his final earthly duty: presiding over the New Year Day Mass. ​Witnesses recount that Father Chukwuma was standing at the pulpit, delivering the message of hope for the year 2026, when he collapsed in the presence of his parishioners. Despite the immediate efforts of those present, it became clear that the veteran priest had finished his race. For many of the faithful, his death is seen as a "saintly exit," occurring while he was clad in his sacred vestments and standing at the altar of God—the very place he dedicated his...
Read more

Archbishop Akubeze Announces the Passing of Fr. Jude Ezenwa

Image
-By Ruben Mario Brodrick  It is with a heavy heart that Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze announces the passing of Fr. Jude Ezenwa, who died on the afternoon of Sunday, September 7, 2025. The news was shared by Fr. Mike Oyanoafoh on behalf of the Archbishop. Fr. Jude Ezenwa will be remembered for his dedication and service as Parish Priest of Immaculate Conception Parish, Ugo in Orhiomwon  Local Government Area of Edo State.  Further details regarding funeral arrangements and memorial services will be announced in the coming days. We ask for prayers for the repose of his soul and for his family and loved ones during this difficult time. May he rest in perfect peace.
Read more

Why Pope Francis died -Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

Image
Why Pope Francis died -Pastor Chris Oyakhilome April 26, 2025  Pope Francis Was Killed, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Reveals Chris Oyakhilome, A controversial Nigerian cleric, has claimed without evidence that Pope Francis died from the effects of taking the coronavirus vaccine. Mr Oyakhilome, president of LoveWorld Incorporated, made the claim on Saturday, about five years after he falsely claimed that there was a link between the 5G network, Coronavirus, and the Anti-Christ. In April 2020, during the COVID-19 outbreak and the lockdown directives, the pastor slammed his colleagues for consenting to the closure of churches. In January 2021, Pope Francis said that people have a moral obligation to receive one of the new COVID-19 vaccines, revealing that he was expecting his first dose. According to the National Catholic Reporter, the pope said that taking the vaccine was a moral choice because it was about saving lives. Claim on Pope’s death While the Vatican announced on Mon...
Read more