Following rumours of a planned church attack, clergy in Nigeria’s Osun state have been warned to remain vigilant and observe stringent safety recommendations.

The Christian Association of Nigeria issued the warning after a local newspaper, 'Punch', observed a Facebook post by an anonymous group threatening an attack on St Mary’s Catholic Church in Osun

The Facebook post read, “A church with the name St Mary Catholic Church at a region called Osun region is again targeted for attacks. People close to this church must be made to understand the situation. 23rd July as a date given, we urge everyone out there to get this message across to the church and its management.

“Just like the Owo massacre which we warned, we shall not be happy if this is ignored as the St Francis was. The casualties would be numerous. We warn again!”

In 2022, at least 40 people were killed when assailants opened fire and deployed bombs on a church in Owo, in Nigeria’s Ondo State, on Pentecost. 

The church reopened exactly one year after the attack. 

Last year, more Christians were killed in Nigeria than any other country in the world, combined.