THE chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Revd Lawan Andimi, has been murdered by a faction of the Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram.

A video showing the killing of Mr Andimi was sent to an investiga­tive journalist, Ahmed Salkida, in Nigeria. Mr Salkida wrote on Twit­ter: “To break some news items can traumatize. I’m battling with one of such. Reverend Andimi, abducted by #BokoHaram was executed yester­day. Rev. Andimi was a church leader, a father to his chil­dren and the community he served. My con­dolen­ces go to his family.”

Mr Andimi, who was married with nine children, was abducted on 2 January, when terrorists raided his town and forced him into a vehicle. A video was later posted online in which he urged the president of the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria, the Revd Joel Billy, to secure his re­­lease.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) confirmed Mr Andimi’s death. Its chief executive, Mervyn Thomas, condemned the murder, de­­­­scribing him as a “an uncom­monly courageous man, who, despite knowing death was a very real pros­pect, maintained a calm and deep faith”.

CSW has urged the UK govern­ment to raise the subject of in­­creasing levels of attacks by Boko Haram with the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari.