Gunmen kill 14 churchgoers in Nigeria shooting
Gunmen killed at least 14 churchgoers returning from a midnight service on
Monday in Nigeria's Rivers State, a police source told AFP, the latest violence
to hit the oil-rich
region.
"The gunmen opened fire on a set of worshippers at about 12:30 am on Monday,"
said Ugochi Olugbo, a relative of one of the victims who was attending a New
Year's Eve service.
The shooting took place in the town of Omoku about 90 kilometres (56 miles)
from the southern oil hub of Port Harcourt.
"Fourteen persons died on the spot, while 12 who sustained gunshot
wounds were rushed to the hospital and are receiving medical attention,"
said a police source who asked to remain anonymous.
Rivers State police public relations officer Nnamdi Omoni said the number of
casualties could not be confirmed at the moment.
"The commissioner of police, Ahmed Zaki, has also launched a manhunt
for the bandits to ensure they are arrested and prosecuted," Omoni said.
Rivers State, a region blighted by poverty despite a wealth of oil, is home
to several powerful
gangs that often engage in violent turf wars.
Such gangs, known as "cults" in Nigeria, began as university confraternities
decades ago before evolving into powerful armed groups that now rule the streets
of the destitute region.
Source: eNCA
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