In Nigeria, gunmen opened fire on worshipers during a mass at a Catholic church on Sunday. At least 50 people, including children, have been killed, according to local media and a doctor. The authorities have not yet confirmed this.
The unknown perpetrators allegedly shot and threw explosives. They also allegedly kidnapped several people. Nothing is known about their motive yet. The police are investigating, the spokesman told the news agency Reuters† Video footage after the shooting shows bodies in pools of blood.
The terror attack took place in the village of Owo, in the southwestern state of Ondo. The state governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, promised that no effort would be spared to track down the perpetrators.
Such violence is rare in southwestern Nigeria. In the northeast, however, there is an Islamist insurgency and robberies and kidnappings by armed gangs are more frequent. Churches are regularly targeted.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the “horrific” attack. The Pope has said he is praying for the victims.