Gunman Killed 50 people at a church in Nigeria.
According to the local media, gunmen assaulted a Catholic church in Nigeria’s Ondo state during mass on Sunday, killing at least 50 people and injuring many more.
A doctor at a hospital in Owo, Nigeria’s southwest, told Reuters that 50 dead had been taken to the FMC (Federal Medical Center) in Owo and St. Louis Catholic Hospital.
The incident was denounced by President Muhammadu Buhari, who described it as “heinous.” The assailants’ identities and motivation were not immediately known.
According to local media, gunmen opened fire on attendees and detonated explosives at the church. Women and children were among that slain.
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The police spokeswoman for Ondo state, Funmilayo Ibukun Odunlami, confirmed simply that there had been an incident at the Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo and that police will publish a more detailed statement shortly.
Armed gangs have attacked and kidnapped for ransom in Africa’s most populous nation, especially in the northwest.
However, in southern Nigeria, such assaults are uncommon. Following the incident, Ondo state governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu cut short a trip to Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and returned to Ondo.
“We will devote every possible resource to tracking down and punishing these perpetrators,” he added.
Eric is a professional news editor, writer, and blogger for the last 10 years. He is working with NewsGater as an off-beat news editor cum writer.