Official: Dozens feared dead in Nigeria church attack

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) – A state lawmaker in southwestern Nigeria says dozens are feared dead after gunmen opened fire and detonated explosives at a church.

Ogunmolasuyi Oluwole said the gunmen targeted the St Francis Catholic Church in Ondo state on Sunday morning just as the worshippers gathered for the weekly Mass. He said many children were among the dead.

While much of Nigeria has struggled with security issues including Islamic extremism, Ondo is widely known as one of Nigeria’s most peaceful states.