Islamic State is celebrating the beheading of five Christians in the Lubero District of North Kivu, north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
In a social media post, the terrorists declared “praise be to God” for the killings in the village of Musenge on 24 January.
Local media sources report that the five were among at least 25 civilians murdered by fighters from Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP).
Homes, a church building and a health centre were destroyed by Islamic State fighters in the village of Musenge, located in the Lubero District of D. R. Congo’s North Kivu province [Image credit: Plume du Kivu]
The fighters also burned down a church building, a health centre and 63 homes – almost the entire village.
Many villagers have now fled the area, adding to the growing total of people in Christian-majority north-eastern DRC displaced by ISCAP and other armed groups such as the M23 movement.
“How can we understand that fighters have been operating freely for over two weeks in the same area, attacking village after village, without any effective response from the security forces?” asked a community leader in Musenge.
Read more: Islamic State demands that African Christians convert or submit to Islamic rule
“The population feels abandoned to its fate,” he continued, “exposed to massacres while official speeches multiply without any visible action on the ground.”
Lubero District has borne the brunt of ISCAP activity over the past 12 months.
At least five health centres in the area have been forced to close by the persistent violence. Among them is the health centre in Byambe, where 28 people (17 at the centre and 11 in the village) were slaughtered on 14 November 2025.
ISCAP (formerly known as the Allied Democratic Forces, or ADF) has claimed the killing of more than 800 Christians in north-eastern DRC since its violence against Christian communities escalated in December 2024.
On 16 January the terrorists claimed the beheading of five “infidels” in the village of Bukia, also in Lubero District. Three days later seven more Christians were killed in Mafwi, Lubero.
Six other believers were beheaded in separate attacks in the neighbouring province of Ituri on 23 January, one near Mambelenga and the other in Ofaye Otto Maber.
How you can pray
Ask the Lord to overcome the power of those who oppose Him and His people. Pray for safety and security for the people of north-eastern D. R. Congo, as well as for comfort to those who have been bereaved and displaced by the violence.
