Islamists killed at least 29 people in an attack on a Christian community in Adamawa State, north-eastern Nigeria, on Sunday 26 April.
The attack happened around 5pm as residents of Sabon-Gari village in Guyaku District, Gombi Local Government Area, were attending a football match.
According to one villager, Nimfas Bala, the assailants attacked the field, shooting sporadically and causing players and spectators to flee in panic.
A delegation from the state government visited the scene of the attack on Sabon-Gari village [Image credit: Adamawa State Government]
Bala said the assailants divided into two groups and surrounded the village, shooting residents on sight in an assault that lasted several hours.
“I personally counted 29 bodies, while many others are still missing,” Bala said, adding that a church was set on fire, destroying musical instruments and chairs inside.
The attackers also burnt 42 motorcycles belonging to players and spectators.
The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it “killed at least 25 … Christians” and “torched a church and nearly 100 motorcycles”.
Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the governor of Adamawa State, who visited the scene the following day, described the attack as an “affront to our humanity” and announced that security was being stepped up. Many families abandoned their homes in fear of further attacks.
The attack follows less than a week after twelve Christians were killed on 21 April in an assault on another Christian community in Adamawa State.
How you can pray
Pray that the Christian community of Sabon-Gari will know divine comfort, strength and hope even as they grieve for loss of loved ones. Ask that any still missing will be found safe and well to be reunited with their families, or if necessary, so that surviving relatives can mourn their passing. Pray that security throughout Adamawa will be tightened with appropriate, effective, practical measures, but also that God’s people will experience an inner security and peace that transmits encouragement and confidence in His purposes, which will cause His enemies to turn to Him under conviction.
