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Suspected Islamist Militants Kill Six At Deeper Life Church In Gombe-BBC

January 5, 2012

Gunmen have attacked a church in north-east Nigeria killing at least six people, the church's pastor says.

Gunmen have attacked a church in north-east Nigeria killing at least six people, the church's pastor says.

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Johnson Jauro said the killings took place when gunmen burst into his Deeper Life Church in Gombe, capital of Gombe state.

He said his wife was among those killed. Ten other people were injured.

Nigeria has recently experienced a surge in ethnic and sectarian violence. The government declared a state of emergency in parts of the country.

"The attackers started shooting sporadically. They shot through the window of the church, and many people were killed including my wife," Mr Jauro told Reuters news agency.

"Many members who attended the church service were also injured."

The Islamic group Boko Haram has recently carried out a string of attacks, including the bombing of a church in the capital Abuja which killed dozens of people on Christmas Day.

President Goodluck Jonathan has vowed to "crush" the group.

On Sunday at least 50 people died in the eastern state of Ebonyi in clashes between two ethnic groups over a land dispute.

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