Nigeria: Gunmen storm church, kill one, abduct three

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Over 3,000 Christians in Nigeria were killed in the first 200 days of 2021, and yet another was killed on Sunday as five gunmen attacked a church service in Kogi State and abducted three people, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.

Congregants were attending a service at ECWA Church in Okedayo on the morning of September 19, when gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles stormed in, the Lagos Time reported. The gunmen were reportedly shooting sporadically as they entered the church.

The man that was killed was identified as the Deputy Chief Security Officer of a higher institution in the area, the Lagos Times said. Three people were injured in addition to the three who were abducted. State Police Command DSP William Aya confirmed the incident and said police were pursuing the kidnappers.

In a separate statement, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Dr. John Ibenu said: “As the State CAN Chairman, I strongly condemn the attack on Churches, Winners Chapel at Osara and now ECWA Church at Okedayo, Kabba,” said in a statement. “This is a desecration of places of worship. Our prayers and condolences go to all the bereaved.”

According to the US Open Doors watch group, more Christians are murdered for their faith in Nigeria than in any other country; most of the murders are carried out by Hausa-Fulani Muslim militant herdsmen, as well as ISWAP ( Islamic State affiliate) and Boko Haram.

Nigeria ranks on the US Open Doors Watch List 2021 of top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.

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