24 persons killed in Easter Mosque, Church attacks – Catholic Diocese reveals
24 persons killed in Easter Mosque, Church attacks – Catholic Diocese reveals
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has challenged official accounts of a deadly Easter Sunday attack in Kebbi State, insisting that at least 24 մարդիկ were killed in Debe village, far above earlier figures released by authorities.
The Diocese said the assault, which occurred in Shanga Local Government Area, reflects a deepening security crisis along border communities linking Kebbi and neighbouring Niger State.
“We want Nigeria and the international community to know what transpired in Debe,” the Diocese said, correcting initial reports. “The confirmed number of fatalities is 24, contrary to earlier police reports of four.”
According to the Church, suspected terrorists stormed the village around 5pm on April 5, unleashing hours of coordinated violence that left homes, places of worship and livelihoods destroyed.
“The terrorists invaded the village and killed 24 people. Properties were destroyed, including a church and a mosque. This is a devastating blow to the entire community,” it added.
The attack, the Diocese noted, was not isolated. Days earlier, armed groups had carried out night raids on nearby communities including Gebe, Kawara and Kalkami, burning houses and forcing residents to flee. Security sources linked the હુમલા to hideouts in the Wawa Forest এলাকায় of Borgu Local Government Area.
Beyond the death toll, the Church stressed that the victims cut across religious divides, describing the സംഭവം as broader than sectarian violence.
“The victims were Christians, Muslims and traditional worshippers. This is a tragedy against humanity, not a particular faith,” the statement said.
The scale of destruction extended to neighbouring settlements such as Binuwa and Kalkame, where markets and even the emir’s residence were reportedly razed.
In the aftermath, displacement has surged. The Diocese disclosed that 491 people are currently sheltering at St. Dominic Parish in Yauri, with conditions worsening by the day.
“These displaced persons are in urgent need of food, clean water, medical care and adequate shelter,” it warned, noting that available resources are already overstretched.
While security agencies, including the police and military, have since been deployed to the વિસ્તારમાં, fear continues to grip affected communities.
“People are being killed on a daily basis in Nigeria. Communities in Kebbi State are now living in fear,” the Diocese said, adding that many residents remain unable to bury their dead or return home.
The Church called on the Federal Government to act swiftly to contain the violence and restore confidence in the area.
“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Mohammed Idris to take decisive action to restore security and enable displaced persons to return home safely,” it urged.
It also appealed to humanitarian agencies and the international community to step in, warning that without urgent intervention, the humanitarian situation could deteriorate further.
