At least 50 people were killed in an attack on a Catholic church in southwestern Nigeria

The violent attack took place in Catholic Church Saint Francis in the town of Owo, Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria, during the morning service. This is a rare attack in southwestern Nigeria because jihadists and criminal gangs are often active in other areas.

In a statement, Pope Francis said he had received information of “the death of dozens of faithful”, many children during the Christian celebration of Pentecost.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the mission church attack this.

The motive for the attack and the exact death toll were not immediately clear, but Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the “cruel murder of worshipers”.

Ondo state police spokeswoman Ibukun Odunlami said gunmen also attacked the church with explosives, killing several worshipers.

“It is still too early to say exactly how many people were killed. But many worshipers were killed while others were injured in the attack,” Ibukun Odunlami told AFP.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari called the attack on the Catholic church a “disgusting” act. (Photo: Reuters)

A spokesman for the Ondo Governor’s Office said an official casualty number would not be released at this time. However, witness Abayomi told AFP that dozens of worshipers died in the attack. He said he saw about five gunmen on the church grounds before fleeing to safety.

Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Oluwarotimi Akeredolu called the June 5 attack a “cowardly and barbaric attack” and called on security forces to track down the attackers.

Gun and bomb attacks are rare in Ondo state and other areas in the southwest, but the Nigerian military is battling jihadist rebels in the northeast, gangs in the Northwest and the Separatists in the Southeast.

The North West and North Central Regions of Nigeria are increasingly affected by armed gangs that raid villages and target communities and schools, carrying out attacks and kidnappings. series.

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