Two people killed in attack on Catholic mission in Nigeria
In Nigeria, militants attacked a Catholic mission in the Diocese of Zaria, killing two people and abducting an elder of the local community.
On August 18, armed men attacked the St. John Catholic missionary station in Ungwar Mulki in the Nigerian Diocese of Zaria. Two people were killed in the attack and one more was abducted, ACI Africa reports.
The attack took place early in the morning. Militants stormed the mission compound, abducted one of the elders of the local community and killed his eldest son. Another person was seriously wounded and later died in hospital.
Following the attack, a Catholic priest called on the faithful to pray for the deceased, for the safe return of the abducted person, and for the families affected by the attack. Details about the identity of the attackers and any possible demands from the kidnappers have not yet been reported.
Nigeria has for many years faced attacks by armed and Islamist groups, including Boko Haram, as well as violence from armed Fulani formations. In a number of regions, attacks are accompanied by killings of civilians and kidnappings for ransom.
Representatives of the Roman Catholic Church have repeatedly criticized the authorities for their failure to stop the violence. In June, one of Nigeria's bishops stated that the government does not show sufficient resolve in combating terrorist and criminal networks and does not hold the organizers of attacks accountable.
The Union of Orthodox Journalists previously reported that the UN expressed concern over violence against Christian women in Nigeria.
