At least 50 people died on June 5 when gunmen opened fire on a Catholic church in Nigeria, in what one official described as a “vile and satanic” attack.
The assailants used explosives and firearms in the attack, which left women and children dead, Funmilayo Ibukun Odunlami, a spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force’s command in Ondo State, told media outlets. The perpetrators also allegedly took the priest at St. Francis Xavier church as a hostage; authorities said his whereabouts are unknown.
“Some lives were lost and some sustained varying degrees of injuries,” Odunlami told ABC News on June 5. Police don’t yet have the full estimate of the number of casualties in the attack.
Health officials told the broadcaster that at least 35 people had died, and their bodies were transported to a local hospital, while local doctors told Reuters that at least 50 people had died.
While there have been no claims of responsibility, the Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram has targeted churches in northern Nigeria in previous years.
“This is an unexpected development,” Akeredolu wrote. “I am shocked to say the least. Nevertheless, We shall commit every available resource to hunt down these assailants and make them pay. We shall never bow to the machinations of heartless elements in our resolves to rid our state of criminals.”
Rev. Father Andrew Abayomi, a priest at the church, recalled that the Pentecost Sunday service was about to end before gunshots rang out.
“We hid inside the church, but some people had left when the attack happened,” he told reporters. “We locked ourselves in the church for 20 minutes. When we heard that they had left, we opened the church and rushed victims to the hospital.”
“No matter what, this country shall never give in to evil and wicked people, and darkness will never overcome light. Nigeria will eventually win.”
