A pastor and a church member were killed by suspected Fulani Islamists in an attack on a church in Katsina State, northern Nigeria on the evening of July 7.
Witnesses reported the arrival of between 15 and 20 gunmen who rode into Yaribori, in Kafur Local Government Area, on motorcycles and targeted the church building.
The two victims were Pastor Emmanuel Na’allah and Mallam Samaila Gidan Taro, a convert from Islam. One woman was also abducted by the assailants.
Emmanuel Na’allah. [Image credit: Darius Nusa, CAN Secretary, Katsina]
“The attackers shouted ‘Allahu Akbar (God is the greatest)’ and ‘Death to infidels’,” one witness said. “They came in shooting. The pastor told us to stay calm and hide, but they reached him first and shot him.”
The witness explained that he confidently identified the attackers as Fulani Islamists as the Fulani accent heard by the attackers was distinct from that of the Hausa population.
“Pastor Na’allah stood between them and us,” said another witness. “They killed him without mercy and dragged a woman away.”
Muslim-majority Katsina is one of 12 states in northern Nigeria that have instituted sharia (Islamic law).
A church minister was killed, and another retired church leader held captive for two weeks, after an attack on a church in Katsina State in May 2021.
How You Can Pray
Ask the Lord to comfort His people in Yaribori after the loss of Pastor Emmanuel and Mallam. Pray that bereaved families will draw strength in knowing that their loved ones are safe in His hands, even as they grieve. Pray for the release of our sister unharmed from captivity. Ask that this attack will not lead to further violence against Christians in Katsina.
