A pastor of the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA), Reverend Silas Ali, has been murdered by unknown assailants in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The victim was the presiding Pastor of ECWA church in Kibori-Asha Awuce in Zango Kataf.
Reverend Ali was last seen on Saturday when he was said to be on his way to Kafanchan.
The butchered corpse of the clergyman was later found by a search party on Sunday at Kibori community, near Asha-Awuce.
Matchete marks on his body indicated that he was attacked and butchered to death.
The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the incident, adding that security operatives have already launched an investigation into the gruesome murder.
Meanwhile, the state governor, Nasir El-Rufai has expressed deep sadness at the report of the killing of the pastor, describing it as horrifying and cruel.
The governor prayed for the repose of the soul of the cleric, and also sent his condolences to the family of the deceased as well as the ECWA Church.
He urged security agencies to intensify efforts towards apprehending the perpetrators of the heinous killing, while appealing to members of the community to maintain calmness.
