Survivors described harrowing scenes of victims, including women and children, burned alive while sheltering in a church. “I lost my wife and second daughter in the attack,” said survivor Solomon Sunday.
The United States government under Donald Trump has strongly condemned escalating attacks on Christians in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa, describing the violence as “horrific.”
In a statement, the White House and State Department pledged decisive action, vowing to work with international partners to address the crisis. “The Trump administration condemns in the strongest terms this horrific violence against Christians,” the statement read.
The condemnation follows a series of deadly incidents, including the massacre of 27 Christians in Bindi Ta-hoss, Nigeria, by Islamist Fulani militants. Survivors described harrowing scenes of victims, including women and children, burned alive while sheltering in a church. “I lost my wife and second daughter in the attack,” said survivor Solomon Sunday.
On July 27, 49 worshippers were killed with machetes during prayers in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Authorities blamed the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a group linked to ISIS.
Human rights groups, including Christian Solidarity International, say the violence amounts to “ethno-religious cleansing.” John Eibner, the organisation’s president, reported 165 Christian deaths in Plateau State in four months, warning of a “longstanding process of violent Islamisation.”
According to Open Doors, Nigeria accounts for more Christian killings than the rest of the world combined. Religious leaders warn the attacks aim to establish an Islamic state, while victims’ families demand urgent security measures.