A wave of attacks between 28 Dec 2025 and 3 Jan 2026 struck communities in and around Nigeria’s Kontagora Catholic Diocese, spanning parts of Niger State (Agwara/Borgu LGAs) and Kebbi State. The deadliest incident occurred in Kasuwan Daji, where church and local reporting said attackers tied the arms of 42 men and killed them, with victims described as a mix of Christians and Muslims. Police reporting cited “over 30” killed, while residents and church sources told media the toll was 37+ and “more than 40”.

The diocese said an unknown number of women and children were abducted during the Kasuwan Daji attack, alongside widespread arson including the market and surrounding houses. Separately, at about 10 a.m. on 2 Jan, attackers entered the Catholic church compound in Sokonbora and destroyed a crucifix, Stations of the Cross images, and musical instruments, while also stealing cash, phones, and two motorcycles. Niger State officials also reported an attack on a Catholic Missionary School in Sukumbara, with property damaged and motorcycles taken, but no casualties at the school.

Reporting indicates the attackers used high mobility and operated for extended periods: the diocese described ~30 motorcycles and alleged movement from a hideout in the Kainji/Borgu Game Reserve, with multiple village attacks including Kaiwa (five killed) and Gebe (two killed). Local reporting said residents began fleeing after fresh threats, and the diocese spokesperson said priests and parishioners were relocating amid fear of renewed attacks. Nigeria’s president said he ordered a manhunt and directed senior security leadership to track the perpetrators, while police said security had been deployed to rescue abductees.

What this means: The combination of mass execution, abductions of women and children, and attacks on Catholic facilities underscores a high-threat environment where church compounds and mission-linked sites can be affected even when victims are not exclusively Christian.

Who's at risk: Christian workers, clergy, and faith-based staff operating in or transiting through Agwara and Borgu LGAs (Niger State) and nearby corridors into Kebbi State face elevated risk, particularly around communities reporting displacement and renewed threats.

Outlook: Watch for follow-on incidents tied to the same mobile bandit element described as moving from the Kainji/Borgu Game Reserve and for whether the announced security manhunt translates into sustained presence, as local church reporting described attacks occurring for hours with no security presence.

KASUWAN MAGANI, NIGERIA – Pastor Dio Idon of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) was lynched by a mob in Kasuwan Magani, Southern Kaduna, following allegations of witchcraft, and his remains were reportedly burned. Amnesty International Nigeria condemned the killing and called for an investigation and accountability.

KASUWAN DAJI, NIGERIA – Between Dec. 28, 2025, and Jan. 3, 2026, armed militants attacked multiple locations in Niger and Kebbi States, Nigeria, killing at least 42 men in KASUWAN DAJI and abducting an unknown number of women and children. On Jan. 2, they vandalized a Catholic church compound in SOKONBORA, destroying sacred items.

KALIRO, UGANDA – Five Muslim men armed with sticks and sharp objects attacked Pastor Joseph Kanooni at the Revival Mission Centre Church compound in Kaliro, seriously injuring him as he prepared for an all-night prayer service. The assailants accused him of encouraging their children to attend church, and police were searching for five suspects who remained at large.

ALEPPO, SYRIA – Security services foiled a suicide attack near a church close to Farhat Square in Aleppo on New Year’s Eve. The suspect reportedly opened fire and detonated a bomb belt, killing himself and a soldier and wounding two others; sources said he was affiliated with Islamic State.

AK-SUU (TEPLOKLYUCHENKA), KYRGYZSTAN – An Orthodox church in Ak-Suu (Teploklyuchenka), Issyk-Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan, was robbed overnight January 5–6, with gold and silver items, cash from registers and donation boxes, and children’s gifts stolen. Police reported forced entry, property damage, smashed donation boxes, vandalism to CCTV systems, and signs of an attempted arson.

RANCHI, INDIA – A late-night collision near Dodma Bazaar Tand on the Khunti–Simdega main road in Khunti district, Jharkhand killed a church priest and a local resident, and critically injured another priest who was referred to RIMS in Ranchi. Police said the car rammed into a truck from behind and the truck driver was taken for questioning as an investigation began.

KOT RADHA KISHAN, PAKISTAN – Unidentified men attacked the Feroz Din Memorial Church in Kot Radha Kishan (Kasur District, Punjab), ransacking the building and desecrating a Bible. Police arrested a prime suspect, Allah Rakha, and booked him under Pakistan Penal Code sections related to offences against religion.

WENZHOU, CHINA – Police in Yayang Town, Taishun County (Wenzhou, Zhejiang) raided and conducted a targeted sweep against Yayang Church on December 13–14, 2025, dispersing or detaining more than 200 people connected to the church. At least 25 people reportedly remained in custody as of January 8, 2026, including two church leaders allegedly arrested and denied access to legal counsel while the church remained under police siege.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – South Korean prosecutors sought an arrest warrant for pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon over a violent riot at the Seoul Western District Court on January 19, 2025. He is accused of encouraging pro-Yoon protesters and of inciting trespassing and obstruction of official duties.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Quiapo Church in Manila urged prayers for the safe conclusion of the Traslacion procession of the Black Nazarene after officials reported two devotee deaths and a photojournalist who died after collapsing while covering the event. Church and medical teams recorded about 1,700 medical cases as dense crowds continued during the procession.

FUNDACIÓN, COLOMBIA – Protestant pastor José Otoniel Ortega was shot by gunmen while celebrating with his family in the Santa Elena neighbourhood of Fundación Municipality on New Year’s Eve and later died of his wounds. CSW called for special security protection for religious leaders in Colombia following the killing.

NASHVILLE, UNITED STATES – Metro Nashville Police Department is investigating suspected overnight trespassing at Covenant Presbyterian Church and School, where an unidentified man was captured on surveillance video recording video and taking selfies. Authorities believe the same person may have trespassed on two occasions and are seeking public help to identify him.

ST. LOUIS, UNITED STATES – Police responded to a reported break-in at a church in the O’FALLON neighborhood of ST. LOUIS, where tornado-relief donations were being stored, and found four people inside going through boxes and removing items. Four suspects were charged for allegedly attempting to steal donations worth hundreds of dollars.

STATEN ISLAND, UNITED STATES – Police responded to a 911 call about a disorderly man disrupting morning Mass at St. Ann’s church in the Dongan Hills neighborhood of Staten Island. The man was tased and arrested on/near the altar; two officers had minor injuries and the altar sustained minor damage, with charges pending.

WEST POINT, UNITED STATES – Six people, including a pastor and a seven-year-old girl, were killed in shootings across three locations near West Point in Clay County, Mississippi. A suspect was taken into custody around 3 a.m. local time and charged with first-degree murder.

SILVER SPRING, UNITED STATES – Montgomery County police responded to a burglary at Saint Stephen Lutheran Church in the White Oak area of Silver Spring, where forced entry was found and property was stolen. Detectives believe the break-in occurred overnight between December 17 and the morning of December 18, 2025.

COOKEVILLE, UNITED STATES – A man entered Samaria Church of Christ in Cookeville, Tennessee, interrupted a church service, and shouted threats at the congregation. Putnam County Sheriffs Office deputies arrested him within minutes, and officials said he expressed hatred toward Christians during an interview.

MONESSEN, UNITED STATES – Police in Monessen, Pennsylvania, investigated an attempted theft during a service at St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church when an individual tried to take a money envelope from the collection basket. A church member saw the attempt, the envelope was returned, and the individual left the church.

KANSAS CITY, UNITED STATES – A fire damaged a vacant former church in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri, and firefighters found no one inside. One firefighter sustained minor injuries from falling debris during overhaul operations; the cause remains under investigation and the police bomb and arson unit responded.

OKLAHOMA CITY, UNITED STATES – Windwood Free Will Baptist Church in southeast Oklahoma City was set on fire in an indoor arson incident and vandalized with graffiti, causing thousands of dollars in damage. The Oklahoma City Department is investigating after the pastor found the front door shattered and the sanctuary ransacked.

KHERSON, UKRAINE – Russian forces carried out drone attacks, air strikes, and artillery shelling across Ukraine’s Kherson region, killing three civilians and injuring two. Reported damage included residential buildings, vehicles, a cell tower, and a church, with additional shelling in Kherson’s Dniprovskyi district damaging homes without reported injuries.

NORTH ORMESBY, UNITED KINGDOM – A statue of Our Lady outside St Alphonsus Church in North Ormesby was vandalised after being repeatedly pushed until it fell and smashed, causing thousands of pounds in damage. Cleveland Police arrested a 41-year-old man on suspicion of criminal damage and later bailed him while enquiries continue.

No current updates.

Please pray for the communities in Niger and Kebbi States, Nigeria, where armed militants killed at least 42 men in Kasuwan Daji, abducted an unknown number of women and children, and vandalized a Catholic church compound in Sokonbora, destroying sacred items.

Ask the Lord to comfort the grieving, protect those still at risk, and bring swift rescue and healing for the kidnapped and traumatized.

Pray for courage and steadfast faith for local believers and clergy, and for wisdom and strength for authorities and church leaders seeking safety, justice, and accountability. We stand with our brothers and sisters in Nigeria, grieving with them and asking God’s peace and presence to hold them fast in this valley.

→ SUBMIT A PRAYER REQUEST

Step into ROAM RECON to receive live flash alerts, mission-focused intelligence reports, and full access to the RECON dashboard.

If these weekly briefs serve you, upgrading is the most direct way to support the work while sharpening your own awareness of what the Church is facing.

Pick up ROAM Intelligence gear and help keep this work moving. Every hoodie, hat, or tee spreads the mission and helps us keep building tools and intel products for the Body of Christ.

Know a pastor, missionary, or believer who should see this? Forward this email or send them to roamintelligence.com so they can subscribe and stay aware of what the Church is facing.