Seventy Christians Beheaded in DRC Church Massacre: Islamist Militants Suspected as Violence Escalates in War-Torn Region
KASANGA, DRC– In a shocking act of violence, seventy decapitated bodies have been discovered inside a Protestant church in Kasanga, a town in the Lubero Territory of North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The gruesome massacre, which is believed to have been carried out by the Islamist militant group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), has sparked global outrage and renewed concerns over escalating violence in the region.
What Happened?
The discovery was made toward the end of last week, according to Open Doors, an organization that supports persecuted Christians worldwide. Reports suggest that the victims were taken hostage on February 12 before being brutally killed. The bodies were found tied up and decapitated with machetes inside the church, indicating a well-coordinated attack.
No group has formally claimed responsibility for the atrocity, but multiple sources, including Open Doors, local authorities, and humanitarian organizations, strongly suspect the ADF, a Ugandan-origin Islamist faction affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS). The group has a long history of terrorizing civilians in the eastern DRC.
Who Is Behind the Attack?
The ADF, which has been operating in the region for decades, is notorious for its brutal tactics, including mass killings, kidnappings, and attacks on Christian communities. Military administrator Alain Kiwewa of the Lubero Territory confirmed that investigations are underway to identify the perpetrators.
“Local sources suspect the ADF and other armed groups active in the region,”
Pan-African news agency Agence de Presse Africaine reported.
The province of North Kivu has been a battleground for multiple armed groups, including the March 23 Movement (M23), which has recently seized strategic locations such as Goma and Bukavu. Ugandan forces have been deployed to eastern Congo to support Congolese troops in counterinsurgency operations.
Global Reactions and Outrage
The attack has sparked outrage on social media, with many questioning the lack of mainstream media coverage. American conservative activist Lila Rose posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Horrific. 70 Christians were brutally beheaded by an Islamist group inside a church in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Where’s the media outrage? Pray for persecuted Christians.”
The widely followed account “Libs of TikTok” also condemned the silence from global media, writing:
“Seventy Christians were found beheaded in a church in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They were reportedly hostages of the Islamist group ADF—an ISIS affiliate. Why isn’t the MSM (mainstream media) covering this story??”
Ongoing Violence in the DRC
For over three decades, the DRC has been plagued by continuous war and conflict, with violence intensifying in recent months. Islamist insurgents and local militias have created a climate of terror, displacing millions and leaving countless civilians dead. The humanitarian crisis has worsened, with communities struggling to survive amid relentless attacks.
As investigations continue, human rights groups and international bodies are calling for urgent intervention to address the worsening security situation in the DRC and protect vulnerable communities from further massacres.
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