Armed men on Sunday attacked a Catholic church in the state of Ondo, southwestern Nigeria, killing “many” worshipers during the Pentecost mass, according to the government and police.
The attack happened on the morning of the service at St. Francis Catholic Church in the town of Owo in southwestern Nigeria, is mostly untouched by jihadists and criminal gangs active in other areas from the country.
Responsibility for the attack was not claimed. His motives and records were not immediately known, but President Muhammadu Buhari condemned heinous murder of worshipers.
Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in his statement called on the security forces to locate the attackers after the incident. despicable and satanic attacks.
According to state police spokesman Ikun Odunlami, they attacked the church armed with guns and explosives.
It is too early to say how many people were killed. But many worshipers were killed while others were injured in the attackhe told AFP.
One witness, who gave only his name, Abayomi, told AFP that at least 20 worshipers were killed in the attack. I was walking around when I heard loud explosions and gunshots inside the churchhe said.
He said he saw at least five armed men inside the church before fleeing to safety.
Pope Francis prays for the victims
Pope Francis, for his part, regrets the murder of dozens of followers in this Catholic church, which is said to be praying for the victims.
The pope found out about the attack [survenue] at the church in Ondo, Nigeria, and the deaths of dozens of worshipers, including many children, at the celebration of Pentecost said the Vatican press service in a statement.
While clarifying the details of the incident, Pope Francis prayed for the victims and for the country, which was greatly affected by a moment of celebration, and entrusted them to the Lord, that he might send his Spirit to comfort them.He added.
The Nigerian army has been deployed in many fields in an attempt to curb instability in the country. A jihadist insurgency has been raging for 12 years in the northeast, gangs of robbers and kidnappers are threatening the northwest and center, while the southeast has been the scene of separatist movements.
Source: Radio-Canada
