Up to 60 Christians were massacred by Islamists in the province of Ituri, north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on April 1.
A source affiliated to Islamic State (IS – also known as ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) reported that its fighters “targeted Christians” after they “rejected the generous offer made to them by Islamic State, based on the just rulings of Islam.”
This “generous offer” was likely a demand for members of the Christian community of Bafwakoa, a village in the territory of Mambasa, to convert to Islam or accept dhimmi status as subjugated, supposedly protected, people.
One of several dozen homes burned down by Islamic State fighters as up to 60 Christians were massacred in the village of Bafwakoa.
The source also reported that thousands had been displaced by the attack.
Christian Alimasi, a local official, said that some of the victims had been killed with machetes and that two people had been abducted.
Additionally, 44 houses in the village were burned.
More Than 900 Killed in 15 Months of Violence
Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP) has targeted Christians across north-eastern DRC since pledging allegiance to IS in 2017.
In a July 2025 statement, ISCAP declared, “Let the Christians of Africa and their Crusader armies know that there is no security for you except by Islam or jizya.”
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In classical Islam, jizya is a tax paid by non-Muslim “People of the Book” – that is, Jews and Christians – as a sign of their subjugation to their Muslim rulers.
ISCAP has claimed the killing of at least 910 Christians in north-eastern DRC since this campaign of violence escalated in December 2024.
Seventeen Christians were killed and around 100 abducted in a March 13 attack on the village of Mushasha, also in Ituri.
How You Can Pray
Ask the Lord to strengthen our brothers and sisters as they face threats and demands to abandon their Christian faith. Intercede for the survivors of this massacre, including those now homeless, and especially those abducted by the terrorists. Pray for an end to the Islamist insurgency in north-eastern D. R. Congo.
