Police have yet to release a death toll from the savage Sunday attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, in southwest Nigeria.
Many media reports initially put the fatality figure at over 50, but wire service Agence France-Presse on Monday quoted local authorities as saying that at least 21 people were killed first by the blast within the church as it was full of worshippers, then, by gunfire into it through windows.
The Catholic bishop of the diocese of Ondo, Jude Ayodeji Arogundade, said he had rushed to the church just after the attack.
"It was beyond what I ever imagined. A lot of bodies right there in the church, blood-soaked bodies," he told AIT television channel.
Survivor Alex Michael spoke from his hospital bed. "Immediately they entered and started firing everywhere, so many people," he said. Michael was shot in the leg while protecting his children by hiding them under chairs. He appeared dazed as he recovered.
Around him in the Owo hospital were other survivors, many with limbs wrapped in bloodstained bandages. One man writhed and moaned on his bed, while a woman wept as she embraced her brother. A 15-year-old victim lay silently with a drip in his hand.
Hospital Registrar Dr Samuel Aluko said 27 adult victims were receiving treatment in his department for a wide range of injuries, some of which were life-threatening. He said one woman had lost both legs.
Medical Director Dr Ahmed Lasu said 13 children had been rushed to the hospital, of whom two were dead on arrival.
Pope Francis and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari were among those who expressed horror on Sunday.
Ondo State Governor Arakunrin Akeredolu on Monday directed that flags in the state should be flown at half-mast for seven days.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Lagos State governor Bola Tinubu, the frontrunners in the ruling party's primaries to select its presidential candidate for next year, both headed to Owo to offer their condolences.
Many shops in the town remained closed on Monday. Security forces were on the streets and helicopters passed overhead.
Pope Francis and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari were among those who expressed horror on Sunday.
Ondo State Governor Arakunrin Akeredolu on Monday directed that flags in the state should be flown at half-mast for seven days.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Lagos State governor Bola Tinubu, the frontrunners in the ruling party's primaries to select its presidential candidate for next year, both headed to Owo to offer their condolences.
Many shops in the town remained closed. Security forces were on the streets and helicopters passed overhead.
Neither the police nor state authorities have yet blamed any group.
