Lubero, Democratic Republic of the Congo – In one of the deadliest attacks in the region, suspected militants of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) slaughtered 70 Christians in the early hours of February 13, 2025. The attack, which took place in Kasanga, Lubero territory, began with the abduction of 20 villagers before escalating into a mass execution inside a Protestant church.
According to sources from Open Doors, the violence erupted around 4 a.m. when militants stormed the village of Mayba, capturing and tying up 20 Christians. As panic spread through the village, residents attempted to organize a rescue effort. However, before they could act, the militants had surrounded the community, seizing an additional 50 people.
The 70 captives were then transported to a church in Kasanga, where they were brutally executed with machetes and hammers. The massacre underscores the growing threat posed by the ADF, a rebel group with ties to the Islamic State, which has been responsible for a wave of attacks in North Kivu province.
Local reports indicate that ADF fighters have killed more than 200 people in the region in recent months. The violence has forced thousands of Christians to flee their homes, leaving villages abandoned, schools relocated, and churches and health facilities shuttered. Communities continue to endure looting, arson, and relentless displacement as the militant group extends its reign of terror.
The latest attack highlights the worsening security crisis in eastern DRC, where armed groups continue to operate with impunity. As the humanitarian toll rises, calls for stronger intervention and protection for vulnerable communities grow louder.