A Christian teacher and minister has been killed by suspected terrorists in Burkina Faso.

Edouard Yougbare’s body was discovered in Saatenga parish on Friday according to reports received by the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). The Catechist had been abducted a day before in Fada N’gourma, in the east of the country.

John Pontifex, ACN (UK) Head of Press and Public Affairs, said: “Edouard gave his life on the front line of persecution. He is a martyr who offered his life for God and in service of his community.

“At a time when Burkina Faso has become one of the world’s worst hotspots of persecution, where nobody can feel truly safe, we at Aid to the Church in Need stand in solidarity with all those suffering.”

Mr Pontifex asked for prayers for the victims’ families and all the people of Saatenga.

Two months ago another catechist was killed in Dori Diocese while leading a Sunday morning celebration in a chapel.

The security situation in Burkina Faso has deteriorated drastically over the past few years, with Christians particularly targeted by militant extremists.

Jihadist insurgent groups control around 40 per cent of the country’s territory, and more than two million people – about 10 per cent of the population – have been displaced because of the ongoing armed conflict.