The exact casualty figure is still not clear.

President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the attack and was quoted as saying in an official tweet posted on President's handle: " No matter what, this country shall never give in to evil and wicked people, and darkness will never overcome light. Nigeria will eventually win."

"President Buhari mourns the dead, condoles with their families, the Catholic Church, and the Government of Ondo State, charging emergency agencies to swing into action, and bring succor to the wounded," he tweeted.

According to reports the attackers targeted the St Francis Catholic Church in Ondo state just as the worshippers gathered on Pentecost Sunday, adding that among the dead were many children, reports UNI.

Adelegbe Timileyin, who represents the Owo area in Nigeria’s lower legislative chamber, said the presiding priest was abducted as well.

Videos appearing to be from the scene of the attack showed church worshippers lying in pools of blood while people around them wailed.

It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack. While much of Nigeria has struggled with security issues, Ondo is widely known as one of Nigeria’s most peaceful states.

The state, though, has been caught up in a rising violent conflict between farmers and herders.