Story By:  Ana Marjanovic, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency:  Newsflash

This gruesome footage shows dead bodies strewing the floor in pools of blood after gunmen opened fire and killed at least 50 people during Whitsun mass at a Catholic church in Nigeria.

The massacre took place at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in the town of Owo in the south-western Nigerian state of Ondo during a Pentecost service on Sunday 5th June.

The Nigerian government has confirmed that at least 50 people were killed after gunmen opened fire at people inside and outside the busy Catholic church.

Police spokesperson Funmilayo Ibukun Odunlami said the suspects were also carrying explosives.

Ondo State governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu stated on social media: “I am deeply saddened by the unprovoked attack and killing of innocent people of Owo, worshiping at the St. Francis Catholic Church.

“The vile and satanic attack is a calculated assault on the peace-loving people of Owo Kingdom who have enjoyed relative peace over the years.”

Catholic Church spokesperson Reverend Augustine Ikwu said: “It is so sad that while the Holy Mass was going on, unknown gunmen attacked St Francis Catholic Church.”

He added that the attack left “many feared dead and many others injured and the Church violated”.

Meanwhile, Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari vowed to deliver justice for the “heinous killing of worshippers”.

After the attack on the Christian holiday of the Pentecost, also known as Whitsun, the Vatican said in a statement: “The pope learned of the attack on the church in Ondo, Nigeria, and the death of dozens of faithful, many children, during the celebration of Pentecost.

“While the details of the incident are being clarified, Pope Francis prays for the victims and for the country, painfully affected in a moment of celebration, and entrusts both to the Lord, to send his Spirit to comfort them.”

According to local media, jihadists and criminal groups are known to operate in the north of Nigeria, where Christian populations predominantly live in the south, but it is rare that such attacks take place in the country’s relatively peaceful south-west region.

The investigation into the shooting continues.