At least 11 people were killed and many others wounded in a brutal attack on a Catholic church in Nigeria during Palm Sunday celebrations on March 29, 2026. Gunmen opened fire on worshippers as they gathered for Mass in the town of Owo, Ondo State, in what appears to be another targeted assault on Christians.
The attack took place as the faithful were marking the beginning of Holy Week. Witnesses described chaos as armed assailants stormed the church compound, firing indiscriminately at men, women, and children. Security forces arrived after the attackers had fled the scene. This latest massacre adds to Nigeria’s grim record as the deadliest country in the world for Christians.
Islamist terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) continue to carry out coordinated attacks on churches, villages, and Christian communities, particularly in the north and Middle Belt regions. Despite repeated calls for stronger protection, the Nigerian government has been widely criticized for its failure to secure Christian populations and bring perpetrators to justice.
Open Doors’ World Watch List consistently ranks Nigeria among the worst places for Christians, with thousands killed each year solely for their faith. The violence on Palm Sunday, one of the most solemn days in the Christian calendar, serves as a painful reminder of the systematic persecution facing believers in Nigeria. As attacks continue with impunity, the international community and Nigerian authorities must prioritize the protection of innocent lives and religious freedom before more blood is shed in places of worship.