Over 30 Killed, Others Abducted in ADF Rebel Attack on Catholic Parish in DR Congo

Kinshasa, 28 July, 2025 / 4:49 PM

More than 30 people have been killed following a July 27 attack on Blessed Anuarite Komanda Parish of Bunia Diocese in Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group suspected of carrying out the assault.

The attack occurred while Parishioners were attending a prayer vigil at the church on Saturday.

The ADF, a rebel group linked to ISIL (ISIS), operates along the Uganda–DR Congo border and has consistently targeted civilian populations in its attacks.

“Before our eyes, we have at least 31 dead, members of the Eucharistic Crusade movement, and six seriously injured... Some young people were abducted; we have no news of them,” the Parish Priest, Fr. Aimé Lokana Dhego has been quoted as telling AFP.

He added that seven other bodies were discovered in Komanda, a locality about 75 kilometers south of Bunia, the provincial capital.

“Around 9 p.m. on Saturday, we heard gunfire near the parish,” said Dieudonné Katanabo, a local leader. 

He added, “The ADF broke in, and so far, we’ve counted 35 bodies.”

Christophe Munyanderu, coordinator of the local NGO Convention for the Respect of Human Rights (CNCDH), also blamed the ADF and reported a provisional death toll of 38.

While not confirming the casualty count, army spokesperson Lt. Jules Ngongo acknowledged the ADF carried out the assault. 

“These terrorists have chosen to take revenge on peaceful and defenseless populations in order to spread terror and divert the joint operation from its objectives,” Lt. Ngongo says in a July 27 statement.

He reassures the population of the determination of the army to “relentlessly hunt down these outlaws to their final stronghold.”

Lt. Ngongo calls on the population to remain vigilant and report any suspicious presence to the defense and security forces.

He also calls on everyone to “show solidarity during these critical and difficult times.”