Christian leaders in Nigeria have denounced the killing of dozens of worshipers in the north of the country by Islamic extremists from Boko Haram as “systematic ethnic and religious cleansing”.
Urgent meetings of Church leaders have concluded that “these killing patterns are indeed reminiscent of systematic ethnic and religious cleansing”, said Ayi Oritsejafor, head of the Christian Association of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the news speaks of eight dead in another attack on a church in Yola, capital of the state of Adawama in Nigeria, while hundreds of people have left their homes, houses and locations and fled to the north-east, after the shootings which took place throughout the night between Islamists and security forces.
In particular, as reported by hospital officials, gunmen opened fire on worshipers, killing several people, in a new attack against a church in Adamawa, the capital of Nigeria.
“The apostolic church has been attacked, gunmen entered the church and opened fire on worshipers, killing some and wounding many others”, referred a reporter. 8 to 10 bodies arrived at the hospital.
Meanwhile, in the north-east of the country there is a refugee emergency: hundreds of people have fled their homes in Potiskum, near Gombe and Mubi, where in recent days there have been massacres of Christians and clashes have taken place throughout the night.
In the town at least two people were killed while Islamist fighters clashed with security forces.
“Two bodies, a policeman and a businessman, were brought to the morgue, killed in the attacks last night” he added.
The residents explained that the two were killed when a group of armed men robbed three banks.
The policeman was on guard in one of the banks while the second victim was killed in crossfire while trying to flee the store.