Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned an attack on a Catholic church which local officials say left 17 members of the congregation and two priests dead.

President Buhari described the attack as vile and satanic and said it aimed to stoke religious conflict.

The gunmen targeted Saint Ignatius Church in Mbalom village, which is not far from areas where there have been recent clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

There are reports of dozens of homes being set ablaze.

Several states across Nigeria are witnessing frequent outbreaks of violence and Nigeria’s military and police appear overstretched.

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