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Nigeria gunmen 'kill at least five Christians' Nigeria gunmen 'kill at least five Christians' in Yobe
(35 minutes later)
Gunmen in the northern Nigerian state of Yobe have shot dead at least five Christians, a human rights worker in the area has told the BBC.Gunmen in the northern Nigerian state of Yobe have shot dead at least five Christians, a human rights worker in the area has told the BBC.
He said that a church in Peri village near Potiskum, the economic capital of Yobe, was set on fire in an attack late on Christmas Eve.He said that a church in Peri village near Potiskum, the economic capital of Yobe, was set on fire in an attack late on Christmas Eve.
No group has so far claimed responsibility for the killings.No group has so far claimed responsibility for the killings.
But the Boko Haram Islamist militant group has targeted a number of churches in the north since 2010.But the Boko Haram Islamist militant group has targeted a number of churches in the north since 2010.
It has killed hundreds in its campaign to impose Sharia law.It has killed hundreds in its campaign to impose Sharia law.
A series of bomb attacks carried out by the group at Christmas 2011 - including two at Christmas Day church services - left almost 40 people dead and many more injured.
'Savage acts of terrorism'
Network for Justice head Zakari Adamu said that the gunmen also attacked the homes of Christians following the attack during the midnight mass service.Network for Justice head Zakari Adamu said that the gunmen also attacked the homes of Christians following the attack during the midnight mass service.
The AFP news agency reported that the pastor of the church - a branch of the Evangelical Church of West Africa - is among the dead. The AFP news agency reported that the pastor of the church - a branch of the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) - is among the dead.
The attack comes on the same day that the Pope - as part of his Christmas Day address - prayed for harmony in Nigeria, lamenting what he called "savage acts of terrorism" that frequently target Christians.
The head of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Yobe, Idi Garba, told AFP that many worshippers at ECWA "are still missing".
"I have been informed that six bodies have been recovered," Mr Garba said.
He said that some worshippers who lived near the church "fled their homes during the attack and it is assumed that they are still hiding in the bush".
Correspondents says that while Yobe's population is overwhelmingly Muslim, Potiskum has a significant Christian minority. Peri is just 2km (1.24 miles) outside the city.
Boko Haram has been able to carry out so many attacks in Yobe because it borders Borno state where the insurgent group is based.
Nigeria is Africa's most populous state and its biggest oil producer. Most people in the south are Christian, whereas the north has a Muslim majority.