Photo: VOMC
On Sunday, December 7th, armed assailants entered the St. Andrews Anglican Church in Isiokwe, Anambra State, while the priest and other congregants were preparing for morning worship. The gunmen were said to be searching for the church's priest, who was thankfully able to escape to safety. However, the priest's wife and another church member were tragically shot and killed, while several other worshippers were wounded during the indiscriminate shooting.
The attackers also caused significant property damages, setting fire to parts of the church building, vehicles and other belongings. The priest's house was completely destroyed in the blaze. Although the gunmen remain unidentified, police have launched an investigation and strongly condemned the violence.
The state's Commissioner of Police described the incident as a "heinous and abominable act" that is "a grave affront to our shared values of peace, sanctity of life, and freedom of worship." To review other reports concerning the persecution of our Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria, go to our country report.
- Pray that the "God of all comfort" will greatly console and strengthen all those who are mourning the loss of these two believers (2 Corinthians 1:3).
- Ask the Lord to bring lasting change to Nigeria's state of security in the coming year, granting His people freedom to worship in safety and peace.
- Despite the present threats of danger, may believers throughout the country continue to compassionately reach out to the spiritually hungry in their communities with the eternal hope of the Gospel.
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