Gunmen kill 19 in Nigerian church

Gunmen have shot dead at least 19 people in a Christian church in central Nigeria, according to an army official.

Gunmen have shot dead at least 19 people in a Christian church in central Nigeria, according to an army official.

Lt Col Gabriel Olorunyomi said the gunmen stormed a church building where worshippers had gathered to pray late last night in the town of Otite, near the city of Okene.

He said the pastor was killed and "many" were injured but he could not immediately say how many because they had been taken to different hospitals.

Authorities are searching for more victims who may have run into nearby bushes.

He declined to say who was suspected of the attack and there has been no claim of responsibility.

However, a radical Islamist sect has claimed several church attacks in Nigeria this year.

AP