The Abubakar Shekau led faction of the terror group Boko Haram has given an ultimatum for the release of Bulus Yakuru, a Christian cleric abducted on Christmas eve in Borno State, Northeastern Nigeria.
At least seven people were killed when Boko Haram insurgents attacked the village of Pemi in Borno State on Dec. 24 2020, during which the cleric was taken away.
Pemi is located approximately 20 kilometres from Chibok, where Boko Haram insurgents had abducted hundreds of schoolgirls.
The pastor has previously appeared in two Boko Haram videos days after the abduction in Dec. and early Jan. 2021, where he also pleaded for Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari’s intervention, Babagana Zulum, Governor of Borno State and church leaders to rescue him. The demands for his safe release have been communicated to the authorities.
In a new video, Pastor Yakuru identified himself and pleaded with Nigeria’s President, Borno State Governor and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the umbrella body of Christians in the country, to intervene and secure his release.
In the video, the pastor was given a one-week ultimatum by his abductors, reinstated by a fighter holding a knife standing behind him. The deadline, according to the terrorists, ends next Wednesday.
“I’m calling on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Governor of Borno to help me because I have been given a one-week ultimatum today, Feb. 24,” Yakuru pleaded in the video.
“If you want me alive, I beg you in your capacity as President, the governor and our local government chairman to save me from this suffering.”
“I’m calling on the EYN Church of the Brethren President to intervene and secure my release. Please pray for me,” the distraught cleric begged.
Yakuru also cried to the Christian Association of Nigeria to look at his predicament, saying that he has no powers to free himself “ but depends on them.”
“Today is the last day I will have the opportunity to call on you in your capacity as my parents and relatives in the country. Anyone who has the intention should help and save me. Please release me from this pain.”
In Jan. 2020, Boko Haram killed Reverend Lawan Andimi, the district chairman of the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN) in Michika, Adamawa State.
