“The destruction of the EYN Church, shops and cars is a painful reminder of the insecurity in our community,” Ponna told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. “This is not the first time our church has been attacked, and we’re tired of living in fear. We demand action from our leaders; we need protection, security, and justice. We demand an end to this senseless violence.”
Resident Tabitha Joel pleaded for help from the Nigerian government.
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“This violent attack has ravaged the community, leaving a trail of destruction, displacement, and unimaginable suffering,” Joel said. “The attackers not only targeted homes but also set ablaze cars, churches and shops, leaving the community in ruins. The images are heartbreaking, with burnt-out vehicles, destroyed places of worship, and businesses reduced to ashes.”
The Chibok area has suffered numerous attacks by Islamic extremists in recent years, including the kidnapping of 276 high school girls by Boko Haram in 2014, and she said Christians in Pemi and in other areas of Chibok are crying out for help.
“We are scared, vulnerable and in dire need of assistance. The attack has left many without homes, without families, and without hope,” Joel said. “We are living in fear, women are mourning the loss of loved ones and children are growing up without parents.”
Area resident Jacob Pindar said Christians were heartbroken by the latest attack.
“The destruction of the EYN Church, shops, and private vehicles is more than just property damage – it’s a painful reminder that our community remains under siege,” Pindar said. “This is not an isolated incident as our church has been attacked repeatedly. We are tired of living under the constant shadow of fear. We are done with promises. We demand immediate, tangible action from our government to put a decisive end to this senseless violence now.”
Resident Markus Njidda said nearly every village in the Chibok area has been attacked in the past year, with Islamic extremists killing many Christians.
“In Pemi community, Boko Haram burned down churches and Christian houses; if this is not genocide, what else is it?” Njidda said.
Nigeria remained among the most dangerous places on earth for Christians, according to Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. Of the 4,476 Christians killed for their faith worldwide during the reporting period, 3,100 (69 percent) were in Nigeria, according to the WWL.
“The measure of anti-Christian violence in the country is already at the maximum possible under World Watch List methodology,” the report stated.
The violence has spread to southern states, and a new jihadist terror group, Lakurawa, has emerged in the northwest, armed with advanced weaponry and a radical Islamist agenda, the WWL noted. Lakurawa is affiliated with the expansionist Al-Qaeda insurgency Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin, or JNIM, originating in Mali.
Nigeria ranked seventh on the 2025 WWL list of the 50 worst countries for Christians.
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