Suspected gunmen have attacked St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, in Nigeria’s southwest region on Sunday, purportedly killing about 50.
The armed men were said to have entered the church during a Sunday service. They fired into the congregation and then kidnapped a priest and well as some other church-goers, witnesses said.
Eye witness said many worshippers have died and several others have been left injured following the explosion at the church which is situated close to the palace of the Olowo of Owo.
Read also: Violent Attacks Claim 348 Lives In Nigeria
According to local sources, no fewer than 50 corpses have been moved out of the church with many casualties lying at the Federal Medical Center, Owo, for medical attention.
They explained that the congregation was caught unawares, saying the casualty might be more as some worshippers who were taken to the hospital have given up.
According to sources, the gunmen also used some explosives within the compound of the church but said most of the people were hit by bullets.
The perpetrators were said to have fled the scene immediately they carried out the killing, leaving many people dead.
Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu called it a “vile and satanic attack” on innocent people.
From his Twitter handle, Akeredolu said people should not “take laws into your hands”.
“Security operatives would be deployed to monitor and restore normalcy to Owo kingdom,” he added.
Some dead bodies were seen soaked with blood in the church in videos circulating on social media.
