Beheaded CAN official: Muslim clerics, huge crowd grace memorial service
Adamawa government to take care of family of late Andimi
Chairman of the Adamawa Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop Dami Mamza has said a huge crowd including top Muslim clerics graced the memorial service of Rev. Lawan Andimi who was killed recently by the insurgents
Andine was chairman of CAN of the Michika Local Government area of Adamawa State.
He was beheaded by Boko Haram on Monday January 20 for failing to renounce his faith in Christ Jesus after days in their captivity.
His death has since sparked off reactions from across Nigeria.
But Mamza who spoke with Church Times on phone shortly after the memorial service which held at the old football stadium in Michika, Adamawa State said he was shocked to see that the service did not bear the emblem of sorrow.
“I had thought I would see people mourning and crying. But I was shocked to see that people were full of praise to God and it was like many were emboldened by the death of Rev Andimi in the hands of the insurgents to lay their lives for Christ.
“I did not see a single person shed tears at the event. His wife was full of gratitude to God and all the people present were joyful and thankful that Andini had gone to be with the Lord.”
Also present at the memorial service was President, Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN), Rev. Joel Billi, top church leaders and Christians from across different denominations.
Mamza said “the sentiment of sadness was put aside. The service was an encouragement to the family. Andini is a martyr. The mood was that of joy and the look on the face of people was that they were also prepared to die the kind of death that Andimi died.”
While noting that Michika is largely a Christian Community, he said the death of the CAN official will not affect the faith of the people. “What I have seen so far is that the death has further increased the faith of the people and their resolve to serve the Lord more. The insurgents will now know that they have been only able to kill the flesh but not the spirit. The church of God is marching on” he said.
On the family of the late CAN official, Mamza said the governor of the state, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has promised to take care of the family. He described Fintiri has a wonderful man who has been so supportive of Christians in the state. “We are pleased with the governor. He has done well for us in the state and has been a gentleman to the core.” he said.