Gunmen have shot dead at least 19 people in a Christian church in central Nigeria, according to an army official.
Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Olorunyomi said the gunmen stormed a church building where worshippers had gathered to pray late on Monday 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.
He said 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
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies