Another deadly church attack in Nigeria

A group of unidentified gunmen stormed the Deeper Life Church in Nigeria's central Kogi state and fired Kalashnikov assault rifles killing at least 19 people during an evening service on Monday.

Local officials told the BBC that that the gunmen stormed the church near the city of Okene in Kogi state and fired on worshippers
The pastor was among those killed when the assailants fired Kalashnikov assault rifles, the officials added.

"It is not clear who carried out the attack but militant Islamist group Boko Haram has carried out numerous raids on churches and other targets in Nigeria," said the BBC story.

BBC Nigeria correspondent Will Ross says the shooting happened further south than most areas affected by Boko Haram violence.

Another media report said that the joint military force commander in Kogi state, Lt Col Gabriel Olorunyomi, said the gunmen opened fire on the Deeper Life Bible Church in the town of Otite, near Okene.

Many others were wounded in the attack and rushed to different hospitals, Lt Col Gabriel Olorunyomi said.

A witness, who asked not to be identified for fear of being targeted, said around 10 gunmen blocked off the exits to the church before shooting the trapped people inside.

The authorities are searching for more victims who may have run into the bush nearby, he added.

According to NBC News, the group, which is loosely based on Afghanistan's Taliban and wants to establish Islamic law in the country, usually target authority figures and places of worship to settle scores with people they say harmed their members.