Massacre in DRC: 70 Christians beheaded in brutal Church attack by suspected ADF militants

In a devastating escalation of violence against Christians in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), at least 70 believers were found beheaded inside a church in the northeast region of the country.

The horrifying attack, believed to have been carried out by suspected militants from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF)—a group linked to the so-called Islamic State (IS)—took place in the village of Kasanga, Lubero territory.

According to local sources, the tragedy began at around 4 a.m. on Thursday, February 13, when ADF militants entered the village of Mayba in Lubero, ordering residents to come out of their homes while warning them to remain silent.

“Get out, get out and don’t make any noise,” the armed men reportedly told residents.

At least 20 Christian men and women were immediately taken captive. As news of the abductions spread, local villagers gathered to plan a rescue effort, but before they could act, ADF militants returned and rounded up an additional 50 believers.

The captives were subsequently taken to a Protestant church in Kasanga, where they were executed.

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The killings have left the local Christian community in deep grief and fear, with many families unable to retrieve or bury the bodies of their loved ones due to ongoing insecurity. Some residents have already fled the region to seek refuge elsewhere.

“We don’t know what to do or how to pray; we’ve had enough of massacres,” lamented an elder from the CECA20 church, which has been severely affected by the violence. “May God’s will alone be done.”

Muhindo Musunzi, director of the Kombo Primary School—affiliated with CECA20—revealed that even before this massacre, churches, schools, and health centers had shut down due to the deteriorating security situation. “We had to move all activities towards Vunying,” he said.

This latest attack is part of an ongoing pattern of terror perpetrated by ADF militants, a group that has intensified its attacks across eastern DRC in recent years.

Just last month, over 200 people were killed in Baswagha chiefdom, according to local news reports, further illustrating the unchecked brutality of these extremist groups.

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The worsening situation has caused DRC to rise six places to number 35 on the latest World Watch List, a ranking of countries where Christians face the most persecution.

Adding to the instability is the resurgence of the M23 rebel group, which, according to reports, is backed by Rwanda. The group’s activities have further endangered Christian populations in eastern DRC.

International religious freedom organizations have strongly condemned the massacre.

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John Samuel, a legal expert with Open Doors for sub-Saharan Africa, urged global action against the ongoing persecution of Christians in DRC.

“Open Doors strongly condemns this heinous act of violence against civilians and calls upon civil societies, governments, and international organizations to prioritize civilian protection in eastern DRC,” Samuel said.

He further criticized the culture of impunity that allows such atrocities to continue.

“This massacre is a clear indicator of widespread human rights violations against civilians and vulnerable communities, often targeting Christians, perpetrated by ADF—a so-called Islamic State affiliate.”

Samuel also called upon the global Christian community to remain in prayer for those affected by the violence.

“We urge believers worldwide to intercede for our brothers and sisters in eastern DRC. Pray for an end to the violence and for government authorities to take decisive and impartial action to bring peace and justice. Pray for the church in Lubero as she seeks to provide both physical and spiritual support to grieving families.”

As the people of Lubero and other affected territories grapple with these repeated tragedies, international pressure is mounting for the Congolese government and global bodies to address the security crisis in eastern DRC.

For now, many Christian families remain displaced, grieving, and uncertain about their future—but their resilience and faith continue to shine despite overwhelming adversity.

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