From releases by Zakariya Musa, EYN Communications
Ma Sili Ibrahim, aged 102, was buried beside her late husband Ibrahim Ndiriza at her home town of Chibok, Borno State, Nigeria. She was among recent losses of members of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria).
In two releases this week, EYN communications reported losses among members and an attack on the town of Michika. In related news, reported by EYN President Joel S. Billi and others, two women who are members of EYN Ngurthlavu were abducted by Boko Haram during an attack on Wednesday, March 13.
Sili was born in 1917 and died on March 16, 2019. The burial was officiated by the secretary of the EYN Minister’s Council, Lalai Bukar, who also represented EYN president Joel S. Billi. He challenged Christians to work faithfully, as if they were to die today, adding that not everyone will reach the age of Mama Sili. In a sermon during the funeral service, Amos S. Duwala read from Hebrews 9:27 and admonished the mourners to consider the service as a celebration of Sili’s transfer to glory.
Andrawus Zakariya has lost his wife, the mother of many children including professor Dauda A. Gava, provost of Kulp Theological Seminary, after a month of treatment at the Federal Medical Centre in Yola.
The father of pastor Joseph Tizhe Kwaha, lead pastor at EYN Maiduguri #1 which is the largest congregation in EYN, was killed by Boko Haram in an attack by insurgents on the town of Michika. He was laid to glory on March 20.
Attack on Michika
Boko Haram terrorists burned a Union Bank, killed many, and forced many to relocate to different directions in the attack on Michika. Although officials are yet to know the number of lives lost in the attack, about eight people were killed. One of them was Rev. Kwaha’s father.
One of those fleeing from Michika met this reporter at Mararaba with his family members, and said that he saw five people dead and that about 18 were killed in the Monday evening attack.
The terrorists tried to take two cars at the EYN district compound but did not succeed, said Lawan Andimi, who was away during the attack.
Security authorities have confirmed the attack was repelled by military from Gulak, Madagali, and other commands in the area, which forced the terrorists to flee through Lassa where they also killed two people. Reports are that the attackers were overpowered by a military ambush, killing many of them as they headed back to Sambisa.
— Zakariya Musa is communications staff for Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria).