19 people have been shot dead while attending church in Abuja Nigeria. Gunmen surrounded the church during a service and opened fire with Kalashnikov rifles. It is unclear how many are injured but the Pastor was among the dead.

This footage shows a previous attack in the area. Soldiers have been searching for the gunmen but so far no arrests have been made. Although no group has claimed responsibility, this attack bears all the trademarks of Boka Haram a militant Islamist group. Who have been responsible for targeting Christian churches and carrying out suicide car bomb attacks around Abuja.

Nigeria, with its population of more than 160 million people, is largely divided into a Muslim north and Christian south. A BBC correspondent said that this latest shooting happened further south than most areas affected by Boko Haram violence. And these continued attacks on Christians have dramatically increased tensions in the past year.

Written and presented by Ann Salter