Gunmen kill 16 Christian worshippers in Nigeria

Lagos, Nigeria (PANA) - Gunmen on Monday killed 16 worshippers at a Deeper Life Church in Okene in Nigeria's central Kogi state, the military said.

Commander of the military Joint Task Force (JTF) deployed to the state, Lt.-Col. Gabriel Olorunyomi, who confirmed the killings to journalists, has yet to give details of the attack.

The violent Islamic sect Boko Haram has been targeting churches in the predominantly-Muslim northern Nigeria for attack, in what seems like a declaration of war against Christians.

In its latest video posted online over the weekend, the sect asked President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian, to resign and convert to Islam.

The President has rejected the call, which he described as "rude and a mere blackmail".
-0- PANA SEG/MA 6Aug2012