Nigeria: More than 50 feared dead as gunmen attack Catholic church | World News

More than 50 men and women are feared useless soon after gunmen opened fire on worshippers at a Catholic church in Nigeria.

The attackers qualified the St Francis Catholic Church in the city of Owo in the southwestern condition of Ondo just as worshippers gathered on Pentecost Sunday, condition politician Ogunmolasuyi Oluwole explained.

Authorities did not right away launch an official dying toll, but Mr Oluwole stated many young children were being amongst the dead.

Adelegbe Timileyin, who signifies the Owo location in Nigeria’s reduce legislative chamber, explained at least 50 men and women had been killed, while other folks place the figure increased.

Mr Timileyin included that the church’s priest was also kidnapped.

Video clips showing to be from the scene of the assault showed worshippers lying in pools of blood while people today about them wailed.

It was not immediately obvious who was guiding the assault.

‘Our hearts are heavy’

The state’s governor Rotimi Akeredolu explained he was stunned by the attack, introducing: “Our peace and tranquillity have been attacked by the enemies of the people today”.

In a statement, Nigeria’s president Muhammadu Buhari said: “Only fiends from the nether region could have conceived and carried out this kind of dastardly act.”

The president was elected right after vowing to conclude Nigeria’s extended safety disaster.

Pope Francis prays for victims

The Vatican said Pope Francis was “praying for the victims and the nation painfully affected at a time of celebration”.

Although significantly of Nigeria has struggled with protection issues, Ondo is commonly recognised as a single of Nigeria’s most tranquil states.

The city of Owo is about 214 miles (345km) east of the country’s money, Lagos.