An official of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has confirmed the killing of the state secretary of association, Rev Faye Pama Musa in the trouble Nigeria northeast Borno State by suspected Boko Haram gunmen.

According to Kenny Asaka, spokesman of the National President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Ayo Oritsajafor, Rev Musa was shot dead at about 7:30 pm local time on Tuesday at his residence in Maiduguri metropolis by Boko Haram.

"The Borno CAN secretary has been killed. We've got the report and the national president received it with heavy heart. It is very sad," the spokesperson added.

A police source also disclosed that the deceased pastor had " attempted to run away but his assailants were closed on him. "They shot him at close range," the source said. The killing came few hours after President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in the most troubled states in the northeast part of the country.

The affected states are Yobe, Adamawa, the home state of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Borno, according to the president. Also on Monday, the Boko Haram sect claimed responsibility for the recent major assault on Baga and Bama, in Borno state, in which up to 200 people, including soldiers, policemen, prison warders and civilians, were massacred.