Religious clashes in the northern Nigerian city of Jos have claimed at least 160 lives since tensions between Muslims and Christians flared into violence September 7. The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Bukuru, Jos, was “badly hit” by the conflict, according to Pastor Joseph Ola, president of the Adventist Church in Nigeria.

“All our members are gone to various unknown places,” says Ola. “One of them was shot in the head. Four others were arrested by military men and were taken to an unknown place. There is no way to get to officers of the field [or region].”

Despite an army-enforced curfew, armed gangs moved through Jos this past week, burning cars, houses, mosques, and churches and accosting people on the street, according to news reports.

The adoption of Sharia, or Islamic law, in 11 northern Nigerian states has inflamed tension between religious groups in the region.

“It is time that our Lord should come to put an end to all this bloodshed,” says Ola, referring to both the conflict in Jos and the recent terrorist attacks on the United States. “Innocent souls are being killed.”

“On behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist church in Nigeria, we send our condolence to the families affected by this terrorist attack,” adds Ola. “May the Lord send peace into the world so that we can finish the work assigned to us by our Master.”