PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari and the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo have reacted to the killing of Lawan Andimi, chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Michika local government area of Adamawa state, who was reportedly murdered by Boko Haram.

In a series of tweet, Buhari paid tribute to the deceased and described the killing as “cruel, inhuman and deliberately provocative.”

“The terrorist killing of Lawan Andimi, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Michika, Adamawa State is cruel, inhuman and deliberately provocative. My deepest condolences to his family, the Christian community across Nigeria, and the Government and people of Adamawa,” the tweet read in part.

The president who had once declared that the Boko Haram terrorist group has been ‘technically defeated’ may have come to new reality when he said the killing of Andimi has strengthened the resolve of the government and armed forces to “comprehensively defeat all terrorist groups sowing death, violence and destruction in the country and across West Africa.”

Similarly, Osinbajo expressed sympathy to the family of Andimi over the killing of the cleric.

In series of tweets shared on his official Twitter page, the vice president disclosed that there were ongoing efforts to secure the release of the clergyman before he was executed.

“Words fail me as I share my heartfelt sympathy with the family of Rev. Lawal Andimi. The senseless killing of the bishop despite ongoing efforts to secure his freedom further reiterates the callous and irrational nature of the Boko Haram terrorists,” the tweet read in part.

Lawan was captured on January 2 from his village and spent over 10 days in Boko Haram captivity before he was killed.

Before his death, Lawan had pleaded with the governor of Adamawa state, Ahmadu Fintiri and the CAN leadership to come to his rescue.

CAN  has recently reacted to the killing of Lawan, alleging that the constant killings, abduction and attacks against the church were enabled by President Buhari administration by colluding with the terrorist group to kill Christians in Nigeria.

The religious group, in a statement, urged all Christians to carry out a 3-day fasting and prayer exercise in commemoration of the killing of Lawan.