Christian pastor Bulus Yakuru, who was due to be executed by the Boko Haram Islamic terror group on Wednesday after having been abducted in northeast Nigeria on December 24, 2020, has been released on the day of his execution.
Breitbart News reports that on Wednesday, February 24, Boko Haram released a video threatening to kill the pastor in one week if their demands to the Nigerian government were not met.
In the video, Pastor Yakuru of the Church of the Brethren is seen pleading with Nigerian President Buhari, Borno state Governor Babagana Zulum, and the Christian Association of Nigeria to help secure his release. A camouflaged, black-masked Boko Haram terrorist stands behind the pastor brandishing a knife, as the pastor in an orange jumpsuit speaks.
“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, February 24,″ the pastor said. “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… Please pray for me. Please release me from this pain.”
On Christmas Eve 2020, Boko Haram militants stormed the mostly Christian village of Pemi in Borno State on trucks and motorcycles, opening fire on villagers and killing eleven. The jihadists set buildings ablaze, including a church, stole food and medical supplies, and kidnapped Pastor Yakuru.
The Department of State Services and the Kalthum Foundation for Peace reportedly negotiated his release.