Nigeria, Abuja - Gunmen attacked a Catholic church in southwest Nigeria during a Sunday church service, killing nearly 50 people, including women and children, hospital management said.
Several Nigerian news outlets reported that gunmen opened fire on worshipers and detonated explosives at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo.
The attackers' identities and motivations were not immediately clear, Reuters said.
Police have not released any information about the offense.
Ondo State police spokesman said that a new statement about the incident would be issued soon.
"It is very painful that unidentified gunmen assaulted St. Francis Catholic Church during the Holy Worship leaving many dead and others injured, as well as inflicting material damage to the church," Augustine Iquu, spokesman for the Nigerian Catholic Church said.
He added that the bishop and parish priest survived the attack.
At least 50 dead were carried to two hospitals in the city after the incident, according to a doctor at Owo Hospital.
The doctor, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, also stated that he required blood donations to treat the injured.
President Mohammadu Bukhari called the attack "shameful," and Pope Francis prayed for the victims, who were "terribly struck during the worship," according to the Vatican.
In the fight against the terrorists who are burning and killing people, we will leave no stone unturned, govt said.
Due to the military’s failure in a squashing insurgency, kidnapping for ransom, killing, and plundering have become the order of the day.
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