A journey from Jos to Bokkos turned fatal last Friday when suspected herdsmen ambushed a commercial minivan, torturing a local woman and executing her husband, Pastor Emmanuel Hills.
According to reports, Pastor Hills and his wife, Mrs Hills, were travelling alongside a colleague and several other passengers when armed attackers intercepted their vehicle.
The assailants subjected Mrs Hills to physical torture before releasing her and the remaining passengers, while Pastor Hills and his colleague were forcibly taken into captivity.
Tragedy struck before Mrs Hills could return home. The abductors executed Pastor Hills shortly after the kidnapping, leaving his body by the roadside. The fate of his abducted colleague currently remains unconfirmed.
International human rights and advocacy group Equip the Persecuted confirmed they have established contact with the grieving widow to provide ongoing support and assistance.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and grief online, eliciting emotional responses and sharp criticism from citizens.
Expressing her sorrow, Grace Arinze (@GoodluckAr) prayed, “May God comfort her.”
Commenter Gideon (@hdcneiu) condemned the current political climate, writing, “This is just terrible. The president and his cohorts are busy campaigning about why Nigerians are being killed.”
Questioning the ongoing insecurity, Ejemete Sunday (@EjemeteSunday) asked, “When will all these stop?” while Olúwatósìn Salau (@CrystTos) lamented, “Kaii.”
Highlighting concerns over targeted violence, Bismark (@BismarkLfc) remarked, “This is very sad, how Christians are persecuted yet no one really cares. May the Lord protect them.”
Raising the issue of self-defence, user Let Love Lead LLL (@omartokosun) stated, “When do we start having a Christian Crusader Army to counter these terrorists? Or are we going to allow them to kill us one by one? The government is apparently on their side.”
Focusing on the victim’s grief, Zichat (@GimbaFaith) shared, “I can’t bring myself to look at the pain and suffering just on her face. May the Lord comfort you, sister, and grant you the fortitude to bear this loss, in Jesus’ name.”
Echoing similar sentiments, OkekeClems (@OkekeClems) added, “This is bad. I pray that the good Lord will give the family the moxie to bear this painful, irreplaceable heavy loss. Amen.”
