Gunmen killed at least 14 people in southern Nigeria on Monday after a New Year’s Day church service, police said.
According to officials, the gunmen attacked two different locations at the church, targeting Christians returning from service around 12:20am.
Reports suggest that the shooters fired at random, killing some at close-range during the early morning ambush of Rivers state.
The attack took place at roughly the same time as celebrations, where fireworks in Omuku concealed the sound of gunfire – witnesses said.
More than 26 people were shot in the attack.
The area has seen an increase in violent crime after a government amnesty program for former gang members was allowed to lapse. The program halted violence in the region, which had been inundated by militants who demanded that more of Nigeria’s oil wealth be kept in oil-producing regions, local media stated.
