At least 50 killed in Ondo state church attack

Gunmen opened fire and detonated explosives killing dozens of people an attack on a Catholic church in southwestern Nigeria.

The violence began as worshippers gathered at the St Francis Catholic Church in Ondo state on Sunday. Among the dead were many children.

Adelegbe Timileyin, who represents the town of Owo where the attack took place, said at least 50 people were killed.

“Our hearts are heavy,” Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu said. “Our peace and tranquility have been attacked by the enemies of the people.”

A doctor at a hospital in Owo said no fewer than 50 bodies had been moved to Owo’s Federal Medical Centre and St Louis Catholic Hospital.

Authorities did not immediately release an official death toll. No group claimed responsibility for Sunday’s attack.

Videos appearing to be from the scene of the attack showed church worshippers lying in pools of blood while people around them wailed.

Owo is 345km (215 miles) east of Nigeria’s largest city of Lagos.

“In the history of Owo, we have never experienced such an ugly incident,” said lawmaker Ogunmolasuyi Oluwole. “This is too much.”