BBC Amharic – Attacks reportedly carried out in two districts of Oromia Region left six killed and five abducted
Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic article taken from BBC Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
BBC Amharic – Attacks reportedly carried out in two districts of Oromia Region left six killed and five abducted
October 20, 2026
Last week between October 12 – 17, 2026 (Tikimit 2 – 7, 2019 EC) consecutive attacks in Shirka and Honqolo Wabe districts of Oromia Region left at least six people killed according to BBC’s sources.
A resident and church servant from the area who asked to remain anonymous for their safety said on October 12 (Tikimit 2) one person was killed in Sengo Yaya Kebele, and on the night of October 17 (Tikimit 7) and early morning of October 18 (Tikimit 8) two people were killed in Ihela Zenbaba Kebele.
“The person who was killed on October 12 was on their crop field. On the night of October 17 and early morning of October 18 one man and one woman were killed while in their home” they said.
The church servant who spoke to BBC said following the October 12 killing, “over 50” livestock belonging to residents were taken away including livestock belonging to the killed victims.
On the day of the second attack five people were abducted and taken away.
“One priest had also sustained severe injuries and is receiving treatment in Sherka Hospital” they said.
BBC spoke to a resident of Honqolo Wabe District who said on Thursday at around 2 pm three people were killed.
The three victims from Lalo Kebele were killed while on farmland, they said. The following day they were buried in Lalo Maryam Church.
In a statement issued on October 15 (Tikimit 5) on the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s communications Facebook page it was announced that three people were killed in Honqolo Wabe District.
It also listed names of residents and clergy who were killed and injured since October 12 (Tikimit 2).
BBC’s efforts to obtain responses from local officials regarding the killings and abductions were not successful. There was also no response to calls and written requests for a response from the Oromia Region Communication Bureau.
BBC previously reported repeated attacks which killed a significant number of people in districts of Arsi under the previous regional zone structure.
It was previously reported that in Ginbot (May - June) attacks took place in three districts of Arsi Zone leaving over 13 people killed and countless others wounded while hundreds were displaced.
In addition, one church was burned down, another church was looted and there were casualties according to the archbishop of the local diocese and residents who spoke to BBC.
Following this the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Patriarch Abune Mathias said the continued attacks against worshippers and churches in Arsi Zone had led to mourning but “how much longer.”
Abune Mathias had addressed attacks occurring in the Aseko, Sherka, Honqolo, Wabe and Munesa districts of the Arsi Diocese saying, “our hearts are broken upon hearing of the horrific attacks against our followers and churches.”
BBC spoke to a church servant who said in recent months killings had “subsided”, but abductions had continued.
“It was unclear why the killers stopped. But now they have continued again” he said.
“It was not heard but, in the middle, there were two attacks. The killings had stopped” he said.
Residents were abducted and “before the news could reach medias” they were released upon payment of ransom he said.
He also explained that a resident was killed on farmland on October 12.
“They killed the man on farmland and took his livestock. They killed him as he tried to save his livestock. He was killed at around noon. Although he shouted there was no help for him.”
Local security personnel were present but “there was no search or investigation” he said.
BBC could not verify the recent killings and abductions through an independent party.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church communications Facebook page issued a statement on October 15 stating three people were killed.
“Worshippers have been killed time and time again, they have been displaced from their homes and property and have been exposed to severe problems, relevant parties should assess these problems and provide a lasting resolution” it advised.
In addition, persons displaced from their homes and property should receive “necessary protection and support” to facilitate their return while remaining residents would require “necessary protection” it asked.
BBC’s sources said on the night of October 17, and morning of October 18 people were killed while in their “homes.”
“The abductees were taken from their homes too. Those killed were in their homes” they said.
Local security forces were present, but they have never been “free from worry” they said.
“The area has never been free from problems; it is an area of worry. It is an area where people go out with worry and return with worry.”
Since 2017 EC (corresponds to period between September 11, 2024 and September 10, 2025) four churches had “stopped providing services” in Sherka District he said.
“The church fencing was demolished and taken away, sold. Tabots were taken away. A home for 400 Christians was demolished. A significant amount of land has not been cultivated due to fear” they said.
On July 27, 2026 (Hamle 19, 2018 EC) the Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO) stated that over the last four years attacks in Arsi Zone left “458 people” killed, and “the whereabouts of 38 residents unknown.”
The report covered “human rights abuses” carried out from 2014 EC (corresponds to period between September 11, 2021 and September 10, 2022) to June 1, 2026 (Ginbot 24, 2018 EC) in the zone, said the toll involved “armed groups in the area which targeted community members on the basis of religion, targeting followers of the Orthodox Tewahedo faith.”
EHRCO professionals conducted investigations in nine districts including Sherka, Merti, Honqolo Wabe and Aseko.
Over the past national elections period following attacks Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed spoke saying “attacks targeting civilians and religious institutions were intended to create instability in the country and disrupt elections.”
The prime minister blamed the Oromo Liberation Army for the attacks. The armed group was blamed for killings, abductions, displacement and property destruction however they denied these accusations.
Opposition party Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party (EPRP) issued a statement today on recent attacks strongly condemning recurrent “killings, abductions and forced displacement” of civilians and followers of the Orthodox faith.
These actions in “Arsi and other parts of the country” must “immediately stop” said the party, adding “whereabouts must be immediately determined” for abducted persons who must be “released immediately without any harm.”
The government was called on to provide clarification “for all identity and religious based attacks across Ethiopia.” It also said the attacks “should be investigated by an independent international body.”
It added “the perpetrators of the attacks and the identity of actors behind must be revealed through free investigations.”
Attacks had previously taken place against followers of the Orthodox Tewahedo faith and against Muslims in Arsi Zone.
BBC has at various times spoken to residents which said the attacks were based on “religious and ethnicity.”
In relation to the recent killings and abductions, BBC spoke to a church servant who said they believed the attacks were “religion based.”
“We will see the outcome of the deaths, the killings and the displacement. If it had not been religious based if persons were chosen to give it priority and search, would it still happen? Other people are living in peace. Christians are being targeted and killed, displaced, their homes are being destroyed.”
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