17 Dead as Gunmen Attack Mourners of 5 Christians in Nigeria

Gunmen fired on Christian mourners in northern Nigeria on Friday, killing 17 people in the latest attack to hit the region amid mounting fears of sectarian clashes, residents and a relief source said.

"There was an attack last night at Good Will Hotel in which five people were killed, all of them Igbos, and today, some friends and relatives of one of those killed in the attack gathered in his house to mourn his death," resident Zubairu Abdulaziz said of the incident in the northeastern town of Mubi, speaking of the Christian Igbo ethnic group.

"Unfortunately some yet to be identified gunmen arrived at the house and shot dead 17 mourners."

Other residents gave a similar account. A rescue official speaking on condition of anonymity said local residents told him three people were killed on Thursday night and either 16 or 17 on Friday.

It was the latest attack in recent weeks targeting Christians in Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation. Islamist group Boko Haram has been blamed for previous such attacks.

Late Thursday, gunmen opened fire on worshippers at a church on the outskirts of the city of Gombe, killing six people, including the pastor's wife.