A pastor, and a reported convert from Islam, have been killed in an attack on a church in Nigeria.
It happened during a worship service at Bege Baptist Church in Yaribori community, Kafur LGA, Katsina State. Gunmen shot the church pastor, Emmanuel Na’allah, and church member Mallam Samaila Gidan Taro - who was reportedly a convert from Islam.
A woman, reported to be a pastor's wife, was abducted.
Local resident Emmanuel Dauda told Truth Nigeria: “The attackers shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ and ‘Death to infidels.' They came in shooting. The pastor told us to stay calm and hide, but they reached him first and shot him at the altar.”
Another anonymous eyewitness said: “Reverend Na’allah stood between them and us. They killed him without mercy and dragged a woman away.”
Nigeria is seventh on the 2025 World Watch List - Open Doors UK & Ireland's annual ranking of the 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution.
“They killed our leaders,” Dauda told Truth Nigeria, “But they cannot kill the message. Reverend Na’allah and Mallam Samaila planted seeds of faith and unity. Even if watered with blood, they will grow.”
