On March 6, 2026, Islamic terrorists attacked the Christian village of Turan (Kwande District, Benue State) in Nigeria, brutally killing local residents, including two parishioners of the Russian Orthodox Church—John Akule and Daniel Ahemba. The community’s rector, Archimandrite Niphon (Hule), appealed to the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Metropolitan Constantine of Cairo and North Africa, for assistance.
With the help of all those who cared, funds were raised through the website of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa to provide humanitarian aid to those affected and those who lost relatives in this tragedy.
In the days following the incident, Archimandrite Niphon visited the families of the deceased; however, due to the unsafe situation, the funerals had to be postponed. The burial took place on March 17. Relatives and neighbors bid their final farewells to the twelve murdered Christians.
After the tragedy, more than three hundred displaced persons slept in the open air on the bare ground, wearing only a single set of torn and dirty clothes, hiding in the bushes from new attacks. For those in need, mattresses were purchased and temporary housing was organized.
Many suffered serious injuries, including gunshot wounds; some children had fractures. People are also suffering from other illnesses: typhoid fever, malaria, and dysentery. Most of the children were infested with parasites and were in pain.
Medical assistance is being provided to the victims, and medicines and food have been purchased. Those in critical condition have been sent to specialized clinics.
85 schoolchildren will be transferred to other schools, since educational institutions in Turan are closed due to the high level of danger.
Relief efforts continue: many people who are unable to work have been left without shelter or means of support—their homes and all their belongings were destroyed in the fire.
Archimandrite Niphon met with Timothy Ahile, the Traditional ruler of Kwande Local Government Chief, who highly praised the activities and support of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Metropolitan Constantine, the community’s rector, Archimandrite Niphon, and local residents express their heartfelt gratitude to all benefactors for their prayers and financial support. “This aid saved the lives of the injured and gave hope to those who had lost all hope,” emphasized Father Niphon.
Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa
