An armed attack struck a church service in Mailo village, Dosso Region, at around 11:00 pm on Wednesday night, according to local accounts cited by AFP. Witnesses said armed individuals entered the church during mass and fired shots into the air, triggering panic among worshippers. The incident occurred in southwest Niger’s Dosso region.

A local source said a man and his wife fled and hid in their house, but the assailants followed them and killed them. Another local reported that some churchgoers fled to neighboring villages while others headed into the bush. The report situates the incident within Niger’s broader insecurity, noting the country has faced a decade-long conflict involving fighters described as linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

What this means: The reported storming of a church service and subsequent killing of a couple underscores the vulnerability of Christian gatherings in parts of Niger where armed violence is persistent.

Who's at risk: Church congregations and Christian workers operating in Dosso Region—particularly in rural villages like Mailo—face elevated risk during public worship services and predictable meeting times.

Outlook: Expect continued displacement and disruption to local Christian life as some worshippers reportedly fled to neighboring villages or into the bush, while Niger’s wider conflict environment remains active per reporting on armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

MASVINGO, ZIMBABWE – A 21-year-old police officer, Costa Dhlamini, was remanded in custody until January 6, 2026, after allegedly assaulting a pastor in Masvingo and the pastor’s friend and damaging the pastor’s Mercedes Benz during a dispute involving the officer’s girlfriend. The incident occurred around midnight in Mucheke, Masvingo, and the officer faces charges including attempted murder, assault, and malicious damage to property.

YAMBIO, SOUTH SUDAN – A woman was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint in her home in Yambio, Western Equatoria State, and attackers stole two mobile phones and an undisclosed amount of money identified as church contributions. Police reported the assailants fled and there were no injuries or deaths.

PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA – A pastor reported that 12 Christians were killed in an attack described as carried out by “terrorists” at a mining site in Atoso Fan District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria on December 16, 2025.

AL-ZABADANI, SYRIA – Unidentified individuals threw several grenades around the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Church in Al-Zabadani, Rif Dimashq, during the Christmas period. The attack caused material damage only, with no casualties reported.

JENIN, PALESTINE – An arson attack at the Holy Redeemer Church in Jenin destroyed the church’s Christmas tree and Nativity Grotto around 3:00 a.m. on December 22, 2025. The incident damaged church property during the Christmas season.

No current updates.

SHIVPURI, INDIA – Five people, including four government employees, were arrested in Shivpuri district, Madhya Pradesh, on allegations of forcibly converting Scheduled Tribe community members to Christianity by offering cash and other incentives. Two days earlier, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal activists demanded removal of an alleged church structure on forest land, after which the forest department demolished it.

CHHATTISGARH, INDIA – In Kanker district, Chhattisgarh, a converted family reported they were attacked by a mob on December 24, 2025 and pressured to return to their former faith. The report also noted Sarva Samaj protests calling for stricter enforcement of anti-conversion laws.

EERLAPALLI, INDIA – In Eerlapalli village, Vikarabad district, Telangana, a church was vandalized after intruders broke open the door and set items inside on fire in an apparent arson attempt on December 15, 2025. Kodangal police arrested nine people in connection with the attack.

BAREILLY, INDIA – On December 24, 2025, a group reportedly linked to Hindu right-wing organizations gathered outside a prominent church in the Cantonment area of Bareilly, chanting the Hanuman Chalisa and shouting “Jai Shree Ram” while police were present. The incident was filmed and circulated on social media, with police seen recording the group.

JABALPUR, INDIA – At a church in Hawa Bagh, Jabalpur district, a BJP Jabalpur city vice president was filmed physically assaulting and verbally abusing a visually impaired woman during a Christmas lunch for children while accusing her of facilitating religious conversions. As of December 23, the report stated no formal complaint or FIR had been filed against her.

No current updates.

MAYORGA, PHILIPPINES – A 69-year-old American national allegedly assaulted a local pastor and attempted to stab him with a handheld knife at Bible Baptist Church in Mayorga, Leyte. Church members intervened and police disarmed and arrested the suspect after he threatened churchgoers.

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE – Singapore Police Force evacuated St Joseph’s Church on Upper Bukit Timah Road after a suspicious item was reported. The item had no explosive elements, and a 26-year-old church volunteer was arrested for allegedly placing it to create a false impression of an explosive device.

No current updates.

GOOCHLAND, UNITED STATES – Goochland County deputies arrested a Northern Virginia man for alleged break-ins at United Bank on Broad Street Road and at a church on Manakin Road. He was charged with two counts of breaking and entering and one count of petit larceny as the investigation continues.

CINCINNATI, UNITED STATES – A car crashed into Saint Mary Church in Hyde Park (Cincinnati), injuring one person who was taken to UC Medical Center with head injuries. Police are investigating the cause, and the church’s front stairs were damaged.

BURNS LAKE, CANADA – A suspicious fire destroyed the Island Gospel Church in Burns Lake, British Columbia, and arson is suspected. Burns Lake RCMP identified and arrested a suspect; no injuries were reported.

FAR ROCKAWAY, UNITED STATES – A parishioner allegedly attempted to rob Catholic deacon Adalberto Montero at knifepoint at the entrance of St. Gertrude and St. Mary Star of the Sea Church in Far Rockaway, Queens, shortly before Sunday Mass. The suspect entered the church, remained for Mass, and was arrested by police and charged with attempted robbery and criminal possession of a weapon.

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, UNITED STATES – A burglar broke into St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church in South Brunswick, New Jersey, and stole about $8,000 in cash from a safe holding holiday-season donations intended for people in need. The intruder accessed a locked office by pulling ceiling tiles, leaving debris while targeting the safe.

PRYOR, UNITED STATES – A pastor was stabbed during an attack inside the Church of Christ in Pryor, Oklahoma, and sustained non-life-threatening lacerations before being taken to a Tulsa-area hospital. Police detained an adult female in connection with the incident.

TORONTO, CANADA – A man suffered life-threatening injuries in a fire outside a downtown Toronto church building on Charles Street East near Yonge Street. Toronto police arrested a suspect nearby and laid multiple arson-related charges.

BURNS LAKE, CANADA – A fire destroyed the Island Gospel Church in Burns Lake, British Columbia, and authorities reported it was possibly arson. Police considered the fire suspicious, identified and arrested a suspect, and executed a search warrant; no injuries were reported.

NEWTOWNHAMILTON, UNITED KINGDOM – Police in Newtownhamilton, County Armagh, Northern Ireland are investigating Christmas Day break-ins at St Michael’s Church and the Second Newtownhamilton Presbyterian Church. The churches were damaged and items including electronic speakers and a wall clock were stolen.

EDINBURGH, UNITED KINGDOM – On 24 December 2025, a Baby Jesus statue was vandalized and taken from above the altar at St Patrick’s Church in Edinburgh, with alleged desecration and blood reported inside the church. Police Scotland said they were alerted around 6:40pm and stated enquiries found it was not a targeted incident.

No current updates.

Please pray for the grieving families and church communities in Plateau State, Nigeria, after a pastor reported that 12 Christians were killed in a violent attack at a mining site in Atoso Fan District, Barkin Ladi LGA.

Ask the Lord to comfort the bereaved, strengthen surviving believers with courage and steadfast faith, and protect vulnerable communities from further violence. Pray also for justice and wisdom for local leaders and investigators to restrain evil, hold perpetrators accountable, and pursue lasting peace.

We stand with our brothers and sisters in Nigeria, mourning with them and asking Christ to make His presence near in their suffering.

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