Ecclesia 2021: Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs (NSCEA) Mourns Rev. Shuaibu Butchered By Muslim Youths in Kano

Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs (NSCEA) mourns the demise of our beloved brother and Reverend, THE MARTYR, the precious soldier of Christ, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman of Sumaila Local Government Area, Kano state, Nigeria, Rev. Yohanna Shuaibu Byal who was killed on Thursday 23, at about 12:15 am, by Muslim youths of Massu village. The news got to us again as a very rude shock.

Account says that, “Muslim Youths Butcher CAN Chairman to Death in Kano. The Muslim youths in Sumalia Local Government Area have butchered the Christian Association Chairman of the Council to death. Pastor Shuaibu was reportedly attacked on Thursday at about 12:15 am by Muslim youths of Massu village over the rapid growth of his ministry. “Recently, the growth of the Missionary base in Massu had been envied by the Moslems.

His assailants also burnt down his house, the church and the school during the attack. On Saturday, the Hausa Christians Foundation narrated the incident as thus: “Rev. Shuaibu has been the Northeastern Evangelist of New life Church and the CAN chairman of Sumaila Local Government area of Kano state in Nigeria. He lived in a village called Massu.

Rev Yohanna Shuaibu was a “popular and inspirational” figure who was involved in many community projects. In the words of our brother, Hosle Tongnan Michael: “We know that at this kind of Time, it takes an immeasurable risk to be a Christian especially in the northern part of Nigeria! Anyone serving God in Christ, can’t be sure of the following day in this body being in the North. Our Brother, a soldier of Christ whose blood was spilled for the sake of his faith in Christ went to be with the LORD on the 22nd Sept 2021.

Rev. Shuaibu has been the Northeastern Evangelist of New life Church and the CAN Chairman of Sumaila Local Government area of Kano state in Nigeria. He lived in a village called Massu where we went and pitched our work. With him we were able to mobilize funds to build school for the indigenous Hausa Christian Children which has transformed the lives of Christian children whom were denied access to western education earlier because of their faith.

Under his watch we were able to raise funds and sank boreholes from which Christian communities which were denied access to government provided sources of water could access water. I remember at some point one of the source of water at the mosque was refurbished by us as our support to the Moslems community which we believed would foster peace and avert some of the obvious threats against the peaceful Christian brethren! Recently, we have heard of how the growth of the Missionary base in Massu had been envied by the Moslems and the wish for its uproot from the environment for no justifiable reasons.

It was recalled, that few days ago, one young Man who converted from Islam but has neither been going to Church nor mosque fought with his brothers wife. In the cause of fight, he hit her with Piston and she died, the young man surrendered himself to the Mopol that are stationed in the area and was taken to the station for further prosecution. The place became so tensed as people who heard the position of the Moslems in the area advised the Reverend to leave the area for a safer place because the Moslems felt the young man who killed a woman in a fight is a Christian sensing that as usual, they may attack and the Reverend is the main target especially because of his obvious exploits.

Late Reverend Shuaibu Byal left for one of the neighbouring villages called Biri where he stayed for a night, the next day he came back to vacate the school pupils to avoid any eventualities knowing that if the school activities continues, the children can easily be targeted and killed. He noticed that the tension was dowsed and he thought he could stay with his family and people, but the Moslems gather their mob and descended on him, Machete him badly, burnt down his House, the Church and the School. His wife was able to sneak out with the Children in the midst of the mob since it was dark already.

The report reached the brethren in other villages and the Vice CAN Chairman called the police. Before they arrived the damage was already great, they rush him to the hospital trying resuscitate him but He could not make it.”

This is the story of the life of a Christian soldier, the ambassador of the LORD, who was hunted and gruesomely killed at his duty post and his wrong was that he was a servant of the LORD!” NSCEA condemn the brutal killing of Reverend Yohanna Shuaibu in Massu. You fought a good fight and won the race brother, your crown awaits you! We are sure we shall see you some day at the foot of the Master. We are sad here but heaven rejoice over your return! The comfort of the LORD be available for your family. Adieu Reverend Shuaibu! Rest in the bosom of the Lord, our beloved brother.

REV SHUAIBU BYAL, WE SINCERELY FEEL THE SENSE OF LOSS HERE, BUT YOU HAVE BECOME THE DEACON STEPHEN OF OUR TIME. YOUR GREUSOME DEATH WILL GIVE RISE TO MANY OF YOUR KILLERS BECOMING PREACHERS OF CHRIST. YOU HAVE BECOME OUR OWN JOHN HUSS WHO WAS TIED ON A STAKE AND BURNT ALIVE BY THOSE HE WAS SENT TO SAVE THEIR SOLE. INDEED THE BLOOD OF THE SAINTS IS THE WHEEL OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. THE BIBLE RECORD OF PRECIOUS SOULS AS YOURS IS THAT THE WORLD DOES NOT DESERVE YOU. PERIOD! Then I heard a voice from the heavenly realm, saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead—the ones dying in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Holy Spirit, “they will rest from their trouble, for their deeds will live on!” REV 14:13 (TPT).
Rev. Dr. Shuaibu Byal, was on Monday buried with thousands of sympathizers in attendance. Some of the guests at the funeral service included: the Bauchi State government delegation comprising of the Special Adviser, Civil Service Affairs, Abdon Gin, Commissioner for Water Resources, Barrister Gidauna Tula, Chairperson BASOVCA, Hassana Arkila, former deputy Governor, Gombe State, John Yorio. Others are: The Chairman, CAN, Bauchi State, Rev. Abraham Damina, Catholic Bishop of Bauchi Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Hilary Nanman Dachelem; Chairman, Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Elder Simon Balewa; Senior Special Assistant to the Bauchi Governor on Christian Matters, Rev. Zakka Yashi, among others. He left behind a wife, five children and many relations we commensurate with. His remains was later conveyed to the Christian Cemetery in Yelwa, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis where it was laid to rest.

Bishop Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies added, the truth and fact are, while all the battles rage against Christians in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large by terrorist jihadits, and they are being persecuted, beheaded and slaughtered, the facts still remain that, THE MESSIAH (Al-Masih) is Jesus Christ. He alone is called the Messiah (Al-Masih) in the Qur’an. He is given this title eleven times and occasionally, he is referred to solely by this title without being referred to by name. Jesus is chiefly called the Messiah in passages that are alleged to have been revealed to Muhammad at Medina after the Hijra.

In Hebrew, the word Messiah means “the Anointed One”. It became in time a title for the one who was to come, the final herald of God’s salvation, the Redeemer of the world. Jesus Christ is also referred to as THE WORD OF GOD (Kalimatullah). Jesus is called “His word” in Surah 4:171, meaning the Word of God the Qur’an. In Surah 3:45, we also read that the angels said to Mary “Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word from Him, whose name is the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary”. More than once in the Qur’an, He is also called A SPIRIT FROM GOD (Ruhullah). “Spirit of God” (Ruhullah). The expression in Surah 4:171, ruhun-minhu (“a spirit from him”) is used in exactly the same form in Surah 58:22.

Finally, there is not a single verse in the Qur’an which recommends the forcible conversion of non-Muslims. In fact, the Qur’an does not agree with the idea of forcible conversions. Islam means ‘submission’ or ‘peace’. Not only has the Qur’an not demanded the forcible conversion of others, it has also declared that the practice of forcible conversion is, in itself, an abomination. “Let there be no compulsion in religion; truth stands out clear from error.” (Quran 2:256). Rather, Jesus Christ the Messiah, the Word of God, the form of God and the Spirit of God is the way, and the Christians are called the people of THE WAY. The Lord Jesus Christ answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6). We thank for the lives of our true and peaceful Muslims.

Bishop Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies
Secretary, Elders Council, NSCEA
Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs.