Deadly sectarian attacks in Nigeria

Gunmen have killed at least 20 people in fresh attacks in the northeastern Nigerian province of Adamawa in continuing sectarian violence, police and witnesses say.

Armed Islamist group Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for at least one of the attacks, and the government says it engaged the group's fighters in a northeastern town in clashes that continued through Friday night.

At least eight people were killed when gunmen opened fire on worshippers in a church in Yola, the capital of the province, on Friday, a hospital source said.

"Bodies were brought in from the church attack," a hospital source told the AFP news agency.

"There was an attack at the Christian Apostolic church this evening. Some gunmen went into the church and opened fire on worshippers killing some people and wounding several others," a journalist who lives in Yola said on condition of anonymity.

More attacks

Adamawa saw another attack earlier in the day, when at least another 12 were killed after armed men opened fire at a town hall in Mubi, near Nigeria's border with Cameroon.

That attack targeted members of the Christian Igbo community, and witnesses said that the attackers were chanting "God is great" as they carried out their assault.

"We started hearing many gunshots through the windows," said Okey Raymond, 48, who attended the meeting in Mubi. "Everyone scampered for safety, but the gunmen chanted: 'God is great, God is great' while shooting at us."

Ade Shinaba, the local police commissioner, said the attackers also carried knives and machetes. No arrests have been made in that attack, in which at least 15 other people were wounded.

Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attack in Mubi, local media reported.

The government put into effect a 24-hour curfew in Adamawa state on Saturday afternoon.

Residents have been ordered to stay indoors, and military personnel are deployed on the streets to enforce the curfew.
Reuters