Suspects linked to the killing of at least 40 people in a church in south-west Nigeria have been detained by a regional security force, the authorities there say.
Gunmen stormed the St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo state, during a service earlier this month and opened fire.
The suspects are being held by a force set up by the south-west state governors, known as Amotekun. It is a separate organisation from the police.
Amotekun commander Adetunji Adeleye told the BBC that the suspects were at different stages of interrogation.
He did not give any details about those being held but said a vehicle and some weapons were recovered.
Amotekun will need to hand the suspects over to the police if they are going to be prosecuted as it does not have the power to take people to court.
As well as the at least 40 people who died on 5 June, more than 100 others were injured during the attack.
The Nigerian government blamed the killings on the militant group, Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP). But the jihadists have not said that they carried out the attack.
Latest Stories
-
CHAN 2024Q: ‘It’s still an open game’ – Didi on Ghana’s draw with Nigeria
7 minutes -
CHAN 2024Q: Ghana’s Black Galaxies held by Nigeria in first-leg tie
1 hour -
Dr Nduom hopeful defunct GN bank will be restored under Mahama administration
2 hours -
Bridget Bonnie celebrates NDC Victory, champions hope for women and youth
2 hours -
Shamima Muslim urges youth to lead Ghana’s renewal at 18Plus4NDC anniversary
3 hours -
Akufo-Addo condemns post-election violence, blames NDC
3 hours -
DAMC, Free Food Company, to distribute 10,000 packs of food to street kids
4 hours -
Kwame Boafo Akuffo: Court ruling on re-collation flawed
5 hours -
Samuel Yaw Adusei: The strategist behind NDC’s electoral security in Ashanti region
5 hours -
I’m confident posterity will judge my performance well – Akufo-Addo
5 hours -
Syria’s minorities seek security as country charts new future
5 hours -
Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo re-appointed as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana
6 hours -
German police probe market attack security and warnings
6 hours -
Grief and anger in Magdeburg after Christmas market attack
6 hours -
Baltasar Coin becomes first Ghanaian meme coin to hit DEX Screener at $100K market cap
6 hours