Pastor Joshua Adah

A popular Nigerian pastor, who is touted as a dedicated servant to
the poor, was “butchered” to death last week on his way back from
pastoral duties by Muslim Fulani herdsmen, whom some say could be linked
to the terrorist group Boko Haram.

As Morning Star News reports,
pastor Joshua Adah, who founded and operated a school that provides
over 400 kids with free education in the village of Bantaje, fell victim
to the wrath of Muslim extremists belonging to the Fulani
ethnolinguistic group, the same herdsmen that also reportedly attacked
Nigerian Christian communities last week. According to unnamed
supporters of Adah’s ministry, Adah was on his way back to his mission
station last Friday after attending an “evangelistic outreach” event
when his car broke down and he had to pull over on the side of the road.

After pulling over, Adah then called his mechanic who came to the
scene to see if he could fix the car. When it was determined that the
mechanic could not fix the car, the mechanic then left the scene to call
a tow truck. After calling for assistance and returning to the scene,
the mechanic could not find Adah. After conducting a long search, the
mechanic was able to find Adah’s slain body.

“A few kilometer from
Jalingo, he had car issues along the Wukari-Jalingo road,” the ministry
supporter said. “He was mercilessly hacked to death by Fulani herdsmen
and Boko Haram.”
A local police spokesman, Joseph Kwaji, confirmed that Adah was killed by Fulani herdsmen.
“The
pastor’s car broke down at Chediya on his return from Koji. He then
phoned his mechanic at Jalingo to help him fix the car. When the
mechanic arrived, the two men agreed to hire a vehicle nearby Dan
Anacha, which would tow the car to Jalingo,” The police spokesman said.
“The mechanic upon returning to scene could not find the pastor. … After
a thorough search, his body was found in the area.”

Although the
police spokesman didn’t provide details about the exact manner in which
the herdsmen murdered Adah, his wife told Morning Star News that he was
indeed “butchered.”
One ministry supporter recounted Adah’s sacrifices and his commitment to providing for the poor after being born again in 2000.

“Not
too long after he got born again, he left the comfort and ‘luxury’ of
city life for a remote village on a hill without light nor potable
drinking water, not even a well in sight,” the supporter explained. “He
was there with his humble wife and kids to answer the call of God at
this time when larger cities meant greener pastures, fatter offerings
and sizeable tithes to others doing ministry. He continued to preach the
Gospel and hold campaigns, not in the urban areas but mostly in rural
areas.

“I don’t know why God allowed Boko Haram to cut his life
short. Even when it became dangerous, he refused to get out but kept
preaching Christ in villages where many will not go,” she added .
Adah
became well known in the Taraba state as he was dedicated to providing
food, shelter, money and medicine to the less fortunate villagers in the
province.

“He shared his meager resources with the poor. He
clothed them. He showed love to them. His home was theirs. I can’t keep
the tears away,” the supporter said. “I’m still hoping to wake up and
realize it has all been a bad dream. If only I can see and speak to my
friend, my big brother just one more time. [He was] a rare gem. I
remember all the times he prayed with me and encouraged me. I feel so
shattered. I am crushed.”

Although there’s no clear evidence that Boko Haram was involved in Adah’s murder, it was reported in 2014 that many Fulani herdsman have confessed membership to the Boko Haram.