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In the United States, most of us take going to Church for granted. We attend on Sunday, maybe Wednesday, and extra services as they’re offered. In Nigeria, however, Christians suffer immense persecution for their faith. As the most dangerous place for Christians to live in the world, Open Doors notes, “In northern Nigeria, 12 states have implemented Islamic law, creating a system where Christians live as second-class citizens, and conversion from Islam can be severely punished.”
While persecution is common in Nigeria, it’s also frequent. On June 5th, 2022, four men entered St. Francis Catholic Church in the town of Owo, Ondo State, during a Pentecost Service. The Sunday Mass was interrupted by open fire and explosive devices, killing many men, women, and children, in addition to causing substantial injuries to many. In total, 41 worshippers were killed, and more than 100 were injured.
Though this attack occurred in 2022, the Nigerian federal court has officially sentenced four men to death for this massacre. According to the Christian Post, Judge Emeka Nwite found “Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, 25; Al Qasim Idris, 20; Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26; and Abdulhaleem Idris, 25, guilty on all nine counts, including joining a terrorist organization, conspiracy to commit a terrorist act, kidnapping, hostage-taking, terrorism financing, detonation of explosives causing death and injury, and homicide.”