“At this writing, the death toll is 218, but it could keep climbing as survivors continue to die from their injuries. Many bodies were burned beyond recognition. Photographs of the aftermath— shared with The Free Press—show charred human remains and buildings’ blood-stained floors and walls. Among the most disturbing images we reviewed showed the bodies of Christians hacked to death with machetes: The corpse of a boy, around 6 or 7 years old, lay flat on his back, his eyes wide open, his shirt covered in blood. His killer had left a giant gash across his face and head. His left hand was hanging loose at the joint; his right hand was severed completely.
The attack, though exceptional in scale and barbarity, is part of a pattern of persecution that Christians in Nigeria have come to expect. In April, in the run-up to Easter, 170 Christians were killed in the counties of Ukum and Logo. On May 24, at least 10 Christians were fatally shot in the villages of Tse-Ubiam and Tyolaha.”—@MadeleineKearns