Burkina Faso Armed Forces in the capital Ouagadougou. Courtesy photo.
Six people have been killed following an attack on a church in northern Burkina Faso, UG Christian News has learnt.
The attackers allegedly arrived on seven motorbikes and killed the pastor, Rev Pierre Ouedraogo, two of his sons and three other worshippers on Sunday.
This occurred in the small town of Silgadji near Djibo, the capital of Soum province.
Local media quoted a member of the church as saying: “The attack happened around 1pm, just as the faithful were leaving the church at the end of the service.”
“The attackers were on motorbikes. They fired in the air before aiming at the members of the congregation.”
According to the BBC, it is the second reported church attack this month and since jihadist violence erupted in the country in 2016.
AFP news agency said two people were missing.
Speaking to journalists, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary the Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit said the display of hatred was “shocking”.
He condemned the attack, saying that it was “tragic” that people could die just for worshipping together.
“We mourn and we pray with the families and friends of those who were attending church on Sunday,” Dr Tveit said.
“We will not be deterred by extremist violence and intolerance. We will respond with the kind of love that transforms communities and transcends hate.”
