Updates on the persecuted Church – 29 March 2023

Pastor shot dead by gunmen in Kaduna State, Nigeria; More than 60 killed by Islamists in DRC; Three killed and thousands displaced in Kayah State, Myanmar

• Nigerian pastor Musa Mairimi was shot dead on 23 March when gunmen stormed into his home in Kasuwa Magani in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The attackers went on to kidnap the pastor’s wife. Pastor John Jospeh Hayab, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Kaduna, asked the government to do more to halt the killing and kidnapping of Christians in the state. Pastor Hayab added that 100 people abducted in Kaduna remain in captivity more than six months after they were seized. Pray that the Lord will comfort the grieving at this time. Ask for the safe release of Mrs Mairimi and other Christians held by Islamists.

• At least 64 people have been killed in North Kivu province of Christian-majority Democratic Republic of the Congo. The attacks were carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a jihadi group affiliated to Islamic State. As many as 19 died on the morning of Sunday 12 March as the ADF launched a violent assault on the village of Kirindera, burning down a hospital. Several other people were abducted. This followed the slaughter of 45 in the nearby village of Mukondi four days earlier. Pray that God will restrain the extremists who continue to threaten and kill His people.

• Three people were killed on 23 March as the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw) attacked several villages in Myanmar’s predominantly Christian Kayah State. Six others were wounded as Tatmadaw fighter jets bombed Wan Pala village in Bawlake township. Thousands of Kayah State residents, mainly Christians, have fled their homes in recent weeks, including 700 who have sought refuge in two church buildings. Ask that the Lord will bring peace to the bereaved, heal those injured and enable those dispersed to return to their homes safely. Ask for an end to such attacks on Christian communities in Myanmar.