70 Christians beheaded in massacre by group affiliated with Islamic State in Democratic Republic of Congo

LUBERO, Democratic Republic of Congo — In a horrifying act of brutality, at least 70 Christians were found beheaded in a church in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The attack, reportedly carried out by militants from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamist terrorist group associated with the Islamic State (ISIS) despite its secular sounding name, has left the local Christian community in shock and fear.

According to local sources, the attack began in the early hours of Thursday, 13 February, when armed militants stormed the village of Mayba in Lubero territory. Disguised as security personnel, they lured residents out of their homes with the chilling command: “Get out, get out and don’t make any noise.” At least 20 Christian men and women were captured.

As villagers later gathered to discuss plans to rescue the captives, ADF fighters launched a second assault, seizing 50 more believers. All 70 were then taken to a Protestant church in Kasanga, where they were gruesomely executed.

Community in Mourning: “We’ve Had Enough of Massacres”

The Christian community in Mayba is reeling from the tragedy. “We don’t know what to do or how to pray,” said an elder from the CECA20 church, expressing the collective grief. “We’ve had enough of massacres. May God’s will alone be done.”

Local institutions, including churches, schools, and health centers, had already suspended operations due to escalating insecurity. Kombo Primary School director Muhindo Musunzi noted that educational activities had been relocated to safer areas as fear spread throughout the region.

Even days after the massacre, some families were unable to bury their loved ones due to ongoing threats. Many Christians have fled the area, fearing further violence.

Rise of Religious Persecution in DRC

The latest attack is part of a troubling trend of religiously motivated violence in eastern DRC. The ADF has been waging a brutal insurgency in the region, increasingly targeting Christian communities with alarming ferocity.

Since 2014, ADF attacks have expanded from Beni territory in North Kivu province to Irumu and Mambasa in Ituri province, and now to Lubero. In the past month alone, over 200 people have been killed in Baswagha Chiefdom, according to local reports.

The ongoing violence has forced tens of thousands to flee their homes. The DRC’s position on the latest World Watch List — which monitors global Christian persecution — rose six places to number 35, reflecting the worsening crisis. In 2023, 355 Christians were killed for their faith, a sharp increase from the 261 recorded the previous year.

Displacement and Destruction

The humanitarian toll of the ongoing violence is staggering. More than 10,000 people have been internally displaced — ten times the number reported in 2023. Entire Christian villages have been abandoned, churches and schools shuttered, and homes looted and burned.

The crisis has been further exacerbated by the activities of the M23 rebel group, which, according to reports, has received support from Rwanda. The convergence of these threats has heightened the vulnerability of Christian communities, leaving them increasingly isolated and at greater risk.

Will the World Take Notice?

Despite the escalating crisis, international attention has remained limited. Religious leaders and human rights organizations are urgently calling for intervention to prevent further atrocities.

As fear and grief consume the Christian community in northeastern DRC, one pressing question lingers: How many more lives must be lost before the world takes action?