{"id":26722,"date":"2026-03-06T20:41:03","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T20:41:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=26722"},"modified":"2026-03-06T21:12:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T21:12:33","slug":"news-of-violence-affecting-eyn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/news-of-violence-affecting-eyn\/","title":{"rendered":"EYN disaster relief staff, EYN Media share news of violence affecting the church in Nigeria"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Two departments of Ekklesiyar Yan\u2019uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) have shared information about recent violence affecting members and congregations of EYN in northeast Nigeria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A message from Bitrus Duwara, director of Disaster Relief Management for EYN, was passed along to Newsline by Roy Winter, executive director of Service Ministries and Brethren Disaster Ministries for the Church of the Brethren.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of Feb. 23, recent attacks on EYN churches occurred in seven church districts including Tarfa District Church Council Kwajaffa, Wachira Kabi District Church Council Rumirgo, Debro District Church Council Kwajaffa, District Church Council Mussa, Jibhuihui District Church Council Kwajaffa, Kwapil District Church Council Chibok, and Garha District Church Council Hong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Boko Haram are on the run as the collaboration between the Nigerian Army and the US Army are going on<\/strong>. But as they are running they attack villages,”<\/strong> Duwara wrote. “At Tarfa they killed one of our pastors called Rev. Musa Umaru leaving his wife and five children. EYN L.C.C. Tarfa Chuch and pastorium was burnt down early February this year with 15 houses belonging to our members with their properties and farm produce destroyed with fire\u2026. At Debro, a church and 19 houses belonging to our members were destroyed and people were displaced to Biu\u2026. At the time of writing this email some have not been located yet. At Garha 4 soldiers and one woman was killed, all Christians were displaced. At Kwapil 5 people were killed, the whole Christians were driven out of that village<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The burned market square in Shuwari, northeast Nigeria. Photo courtesy of EYN Media<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs we are working on what we have in this year\u2019s annual plan, unexpectedly we have fallen into another [round of] fresh attacks. We are just updating latest happenings, if there is anything that can be done in support of the recent victims.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He concluded his report with thanks to the US church \u201cfor your tireless support and encouragement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EYN Media has published several news reports on the recent attacks,<\/strong> posted on the EYN News website. They are excerpted below with links to read the full reports:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBoko Haram Attack in Dille: 69-Year-Old Widow abducted from EYN LCB Kelle<\/strong>\u201d by Mbursa Jinatu, Feb. 27, https:\/\/eynnews.com\/boko-haram-attack-in-dille-kidnap-eyn-lcb-kelle<\/a>: \u201cA Boko Haram attack in Dille has left residents gripped with fear after suspected insurgents stormed EYN LCB [local congregation] Kelle under LCC Dille No. 1, DCC [District Church Council] Dille, in the early hours of the day\u2026. The attackers struck at night but no lives were lost during the raid. However, the gunmen abducted a 69-year-old widow, Mrs. Wana Bashir, and took her to an unknown destination\u2026. Rev. Mbombu said the community is currently living in deep fear, stressing that residents feel unsafe and vulnerable to further attacks. He called for urgent prayers, government intervention, and stronger security deployment to protect lives and secure the safe release of the abducted widow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMadagali Massacre: Newly Appointed Village Head, 17 Others Slaughtered as Boko Haram Ravages Shuwari, Gwazu Communities<\/strong>\u201d by Ijakirayu Daniel, Feb. 25, https:\/\/eynnews.com\/madagali-massacre-newly-appointed-village-head-killed<\/a>: \u201cAnother dark chapter has been added to Nigeria\u2019s worsening security crisis as at least 18 people were brutally killed during a deadly attack on Shuwari and Gwazu communities under Kirchinga in Madagali Local Government Area. Reacting to the bloodshed, the President of EYN \u2013 Church of the Brethren in Nigeria, Rev. Daniel Y. C. Mbaya, PhD, during the Headquarters Staff Devotion today, strongly condemned the incessant attacks, describing them as gruesome, worrisome, and deeply troubling. He called on the government and security agencies to urgently intensify their fight against insurgency, warning that continued silence and slow response would only embolden attackers and further endanger innocent lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBorno Community Flees as Boko Haram Attack Destroys Homes and Properties<\/strong>\u201d by Philip Wakawa, Feb. 17, https:\/\/eynnews.com\/borno-community-flees-as-boko-haram-attacks<\/a>: \u201cDebiro community under DCC Kwajaffa in Hawul Local Government Area, Borno State, was hit by a violent attack from suspected Boko Haram insurgents on Sunday, February 15\u2026. Several houses and properties were destroyed, including the EYN LCC Debiro Church building, leaving the community in shock and distress. Eyewitnesses said no lives were lost, but residents fled immediately to seek safety in neighboring communities such as Biu. This latest incident is part of a troubling pattern as attacks in rural Borno communities are resurfacing after a period of relative calm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBoko Haram Burns EYN Church, Pastor\u2019s House, Four Others in Wachirakabi Attack<\/strong>\u201d by Mbursa Jinatu, Feb. 12, https:\/\/eynnews.com\/lcc-wachirakabi-attacked-by-boko-haram<\/a>: \u201cSuspected Boko Haram insurgents have attacked Wachirakabi community in DCC Rumirgo, Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, setting ablaze the EYN LCC Wachirakabi church building, the pastor\u2019s residence, and four other houses belonging to villagers. The attack reportedly occurred around 6:30 p.m. yesterday while the resident pastor, Rev. Joshua Bitrus, was away at the EYN Headquarters attending the ongoing Annual Ministers\u2019 Conference\u2026. The attackers completely burnt down the church building and razed the pastor\u2019s house, destroying all his belongings, including foodstuffs, with nothing salvaged. Four other houses belonging to residents were also set on fire during the raid\u2026. No life was lost in the attack, though several families have been left displaced and in distress following the destruction.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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