26 Christians killed in North Kivu, DRC

On Tuesday morning, October 24, the community in Oicha, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo woke up to gunshots and 26 people killed in their town. The Allied Democratic Forces, a group linked to the Islamic State are thought to be responsible for the gruesome attack. 

“We have just placed 26 bodies in the morgue of Oicha’s general hospital,” said Darius Syaira, Beni territory’s civil society representative.

Open Doors field sources say the attack started at around 9:30 pm when armed men stormed the Christian neighbourhood of Masosi, situated some 2km into Oicha city centre. 

“When the people heard gunshots at the beginning, they thought thieves had come into the village which is not unusual but when the cracking of bullets lasted for an hour, they then knew it was the ADF”, shares Mumbere, a Christian youth leader within the community. 

Many people began running when they heard gunshots. In the process, some were caught and slaughtered with machetes, others died of gunshots on the spot and far away; and those who could not flee were burnt in their houses.  

As of Tuesday October 24 morning, at least 26 bodies had been identified. Field sources signal some 12 children amongst the casualties, and that the figures may be higher. The bodies of the children were brough to the Oicha General Hospital mortuary. 12 houses were also burnt, shops were looted, and many Christians have been reported missing including women and children.  

“This is a bad situation,” said one local pastor.

Another source shared, “This situation like in previous incidents can cause Christians to resort to traditional religions in search of protection for their families”, commented a field source.  

These incidents happen amongst many others in the North Kivu province, Beni territory especially. Christians need prayer from the body of Christ and strength from God to survive the severe suffering the face at the hands of the ADF.