By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The authorities of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has provided a further gory insight into the Easter Sunday terrorist attack on Debe community ,Shanga Local Council of Kebbi State.
The Church said that contrary to police report which put the casualty figure at four, there were no fewer than 24 deaths.
At a media briefing on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Yauri Town, the Director of Social Communications of the Diocese, Rev. Father Mathew Stephen Kabirat, lamented that the Diocese has been overwhelmed by the number of persons displaced by the attacks, with over 491 internal displaced persons ,IDPd, being sheltered by the Church.
The Catholic authorities noted that the victims of the gruesome attack cut across Christians, Muslims, as well as Traditionalists, adding that the Diocese has secured a documentary evidence of those who lost their lives.
According to Kabirat, the coordinated multiple attacks were launched at about 5.00 pm on Easter Sunday, when hordes of heavily armed suspected terrorists invaded the community.
The attackers, he stated, targeted and burnt down St.Mary’s Catholic Church, including the Catechist’s official residence, a nearby Mosque, several shops and business premises, as well as many residential buildings.
Rev Father Kabirat, lamented that besides the Debe village, the attacks also spread to other neighbouring communities including Binuwa ,and Kalkame. Markets ,the traditional ruler’s palace, other residences, and business premises were, also, razed by the hoodlums.
The Catholic Church further noted that the attackers majorly targeted male adults and youths in their assaults, which it claimed lasted till the following day, Monday, April 6, 2026.
Rev Father Kabirat emphasized that the essence of the press conference was to draw attention of both domestic and international observers to the dire humanitarian crisis left behind by the attack, as well as the extent of the casualties which were originally downplayed by the police.
“We want Nigeria and the international community to know what transpired in Debe, a village in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
“On Easter Sunday, the 5th of April 2026, at about 5:00 pm, suspected terrorists invaded the village and killed 24 people.
“While initial report from the police indicated that only four people were killed, we wish to clarify that the confirmed number of fatalities is 24.
“The victims include Christians, Muslims,and Traditional worshipers. We have documented the names of those who lost their lives”, the Diocese stated.
This is as the Church called on the Federal Government, Kebbi State authorities, local and international humanitarian bodies and public spirited individuals and groups, to come to the assistance of the victims of the attacks.
According to Kabirat, while the over 491victims are presently being accommodated at St Dominic Parish in Yauri Town, they remain in dire need of some essential items including food, portable water, medical care, and proper shelter.
The Diocese equally appealed for the enhancement of security presence in the affected areas.
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