70 Christians Killed in Brutal Attack by Militants in Eastern DRC
On February 13, 2025, militants abducted 70 Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), took them to a church, and killed them. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, is believed to have been carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group affiliated with the Islamic State.
The violence began around 4 a.m. in the Christian-majority community of Mayba, located in North Kivu province. Militants went door to door, ordering residents to come out quietly. They captured and tied up 20 Christians before taking them to an undisclosed location.
As the village realized what had happened, residents gathered to discuss a rescue plan. However, before they could act, militants surrounded the village and seized about 50 more Christians, binding them as well.
All 70 captives were transported to a Protestant church in Kasanga, where they were brutally murdered using machetes and hammers. Several days after the massacre, insecurity in the region prevented some families from burying their loved ones. Many Christians have fled the area in search of safety.
“We don’t know what to do or how to pray; we’ve had enough of massacres,” lamented an elder from a nearby church.
John Samuel*, a legal expert with Open Doors, condemned the attack, calling for urgent action from governments, civil societies, and international organizations to protect civilians in eastern DRC. He highlighted the ongoing impunity in the region, where groups like the ADF operate freely, perpetrating severe human rights violations, often targeting Christians.
“We urge the international Christian community to pray for the victims’ families and for peace in the region,” Samuel added. “Pray for an end to the violence and for the church in Lubero territory as it seeks to provide both physical and spiritual support to those affected.”
This massacre is one of the deadliest in the Lubero territory since the ADF intensified its attacks. The group has killed more than 200 people in the region in recent months, according to local reports.
The ADF has a long history of brutal assaults in North Kivu province. Thousands of Christians have been killed or displaced, homes looted and burned, schools relocated, and churches and health facilities forced to close. The ongoing violence has led to the abandonment of several Christian villages.