Nigerian church massacre: 'survivors say they will take years to recover'

Africa Report correspondent Leanne de Bassompierre highlights key issues making news on the continent.

• Reports state that at least 50 people have died in the shooting

• The cause of the shooting is still unknown but speculation it may be linked to farmer and herder conflict

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Fear and panic engulfed the church on Sunday morning when gunshots were fired in the St. Francis Catholic Church in the city of Owo, Nigeria. It’s still not clear how many people were injured in the attack but reports state it is more than 50.

Witnesses sighted several gunmen who were reportedly inside the church for 30 minutes.

The gunmen also set off explosives which sent churchgoers scrambling, trying to escape the church from two different exit points.

Some people have blamed herders from the north, that have been competing with local farmers.

Leanne de Bassompierre, Correspondent - Africa Report

At capacity, the church can house 1,200 worshippers.

De Bassomoiere says survivors of the gruesome attack shared their traumatic experiences.

The witnesses described the amount of blood in the church and said that it would take years for them to overcome this.

Leanne de Bassompierre, Correspondent - Africa Report

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