Gunmen attacked an evangelical church in the East Wollega zone of the Oromia region, killing at least 15 people, according to the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY).

The attackers targeted the Muleta Gela Mekane Yesus Church in Galo Kebele of Sasiga woreda, East Wollega, just as the worshipers gathered for a church service, the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) President Rev. Yonas Yigezu Dibisa in a media briefing.

The gunmen, who arrived at the church compound in large numbers, shot at people, killing and injuring worshippers, said Rev. Yonas, releasing the names of the dead.

The Mekane Yesus Church has condemned “in the strongest terms”  the killing of worshipers and expressed its regret and concern over the failure of the government security forces to prevent bloodshed.

East Wollega and West Wollega have seen frequent attacks which have left hundreds of civilians dead when extremist violence by the OLF-Shane began to spread across the area. 14 clerics and believers who were returning from church service in Mendi, West Welega, were killed a few weeks ago, President Rev. Yonas Yigezu said.