Lekan Otufodunrin

Suspected Islamic extremists last week abducted and killed a Church of Christ in Nigeria pastor and his wife in Boto village, Bauchi state in northern Nigeria.

The Rev. Ishaku Kadah, 48, and his 45-year-old wife Selina were buried on April 17 after unidentified assailants reportedly whisked them from their church headquarters home on April 13 and killed them. Their burned bodies were found hours later.

Photo: The couple's murder follows attacks on Christian villages in Jos, Nigeria, in January and March.

An uneasy calm prevailed in Plateau state, Nigeria, Monday following the killing of hundreds of Christians early Sunday morning in three farming villages near Jos by ethnic Fulani Muslims.

The mostly ethnic Berom victims included many women and children killed with machetes by rampaging Fulani herdsmen. About 75 houses were also burned.

The head of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Zamfara state told Compass Direct News that he was disappointed in the lack of response by state police to recent church burnings by Muslim youths.

"It is unfortunate that there has been no response from the police, and even the state governor has refused to meet with us," said the acting state chairman of CAN, the Rev. Edwin Okpara.

Gunmen are still holding the Anglican archbishop of Benin diocese in southern Nigeria's Edo state after abducting him on Sunday.

Peter Imasuen, who is also the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), was abducted in front of his official residence on his way back from a church service. The kidnappers are reportedly demanding $750,000 for his release.

Gunshots and smoke continued to alarm residents of Jos in central Nigeria today, with the Christian community fearing further violence from Muslim youths who on Sunday attacked a Catholic church and burned down several other church buildings.

A 24-hour curfew imposed yesterday in Jos and the suburb of Bukuru by the Plateau state government was extended through Wednesday. Police said continuing violence was initially triggered by Sunday's unprovoked attack by Muslim youths on worshippers at the St. Michael's Catholic Church in Nasarawa Gwong, in the Jos North Local Government Area.