Tragic Attack on Nigerian Church: Community in Mourning
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In a devastating incident, gunmen targeted Christians in southeast Nigeria, resulting in the loss of two lives and the abduction of a priest during a Sunday morning service. The attack unfolded at St. Andrews Anglican Church in Isiokwe, located in the Lilu community, Ihiala County, Anambra state.
The assailants struck early, fatally shooting the wife of a priest and another church member. The Rev. Venerable Obies was abducted, and the church, along with nearby homes, was set ablaze, leaving the community in shock and grief.
Local residents reported that several worshippers sustained injuries in the indiscriminate shooting. “There was indiscriminate shooting, many worshippers sustained injuries, and there was also extensive property damage, including the burning of vehicles, the church building and the priest’s residence,” stated Rosemary Emabri, a resident of the area.
State authorities, led by Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu, have initiated a comprehensive security operation to apprehend those responsible, pledging that no effort will be spared in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Release of Abducted Schoolchildren in Niger State
Meanwhile, in central Nigeria’s Niger state, the government announced the release of 100 schoolchildren who were among over 300 kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri village on November 21. The children, aged 10 to 17, were reunited with the state governor upon their arrival at the government house in Minna.
Details on their release remain scarce, as neither President Bola Tinubu nor other officials elaborated on whether negotiations, ransom, or military intervention facilitated their freedom. “My directive to our security forces remains that all the students and other abducted Nigerians across the country must be rescued and brought back home safely,” Tinubu stated in a press release.
Parents and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) expressed frustration at the lack of communication regarding the children’s release. Dimas Joseph Mauhuta, whose son was among those kidnapped, reported no official notification was received by families or school authorities.
Approximately 177 children and 12 teachers remain captive, with some children managing to escape shortly after the abduction. The perpetrators are suspected to be armed gangs notorious for targeting schools for ransom in northern Nigeria.
U.S. Delegation Engages with Nigerian Officials
In a related development, a U.S. congressional delegation visited Nigeria, aiming to address the ongoing violence against Christians in the region. U.S. Congressman Riley Moore highlighted discussions with Nigerian officials on strategies to combat terrorist organizations and enhance security measures.
Led by Nigeria’s National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the meetings included dialogue on counter-terrorism, regional stability, and strengthening bilateral security ties. The talks were described by Moore as “frank, honest and productive.”
Nigeria’s status as one of the most perilous countries for Christians was underscored by the Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List, which revealed that the majority of Christians killed worldwide during the reporting period were in Nigeria. Rising violence in the north, marked by attacks from extremist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, has increasingly threatened southern regions as well.
© 2025 Christian Daily International-Morning Star News
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
