Legislator Ogunmolasuyi Oluwole said the attackers descended upon St. Francis Catholic Church in Ondo state just as people started to gather for worship.

Bishop Jude Arogundade of the Ondo Diocese said gunmen invaded the church while other gunmen outside also killed churchgoers who were fleeing in terror.

A priest was also reportedly abducted.

Adelegbe Timileyin, who represents the Owo area, said at least 50 were killed during that attack, however, that number is likely to rise.

Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu tweeted that the assailants "will be hunted down and they will pay for their crimes."

"I am deeply saddened by the unprovoked attack and killing of innocent people of Owo, worshiping at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Today," he said in a separate tweet.

"The vile & satanic attack is a calculated assault on the peace-loving people of Owo Kingdom who have enjoyed relative peace over the years."

In Rome, Pope Francis offered his condolences to the victims and their family members.

"The pope has learned of the attack on the church in Ondo, Nigeria and the deaths of dozens of worshippers, many children, during the celebration of Pentecost. While the details are being clarified, Pope Francis prays for the victims and the country, painfully affected at a time of celebration, and entrusts them both to the Lord so that he may send his Spirit to console them," the pope said in a statement.

CBN News previously reported that attacks against Christians throughout Nigeria have escalated over the past few years.

The Islamic State (IS) group released a video last month claiming to show the murders of some 20 Christians in northeast Nigeria's Borno State.

In March, Fulani herdsmen reportedly killed 50 Christians and abducted a Catholic priest in Kaduna state. 

And Islamic terrorists are suspected of killing 32 Christians and two soldiers in the town of Kagoro, Kaura on March 20.

Open Doors' World Watchlist lists Nigeria as number 7 of the countries in the world where it is most difficult to be a Christian.  Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Breitbart's AMERICAN SOUNDTRACK: Firebrand Mary Kutter's Poignant Birthday Tribute; 'Through All the Hell and Glory Days You Stand Here With Amazing Grace'

America's Semiquincentennial Begins: Trump Launches Massive National Mall Expo

Woman Removed from Detroit Tigers Game for Wearing 'Jesus Over Pride' Shirt

Netherlands Does the Unthinkable: Euthanize a Young Child

European Country Moves to Ban Islamic Call to Prayer (Video)

Charlie Kirk Judge Denies Tyler Robinson's Attempt to Have Potential Death Penalty Removed

The Reflecting Pool Vandalism Trump Wasn't Supposed to Be Right About

'I Think It Was God': Ex-Mets Pitcher Jenrry Mejia Narrowly Escapes Death as Venezuela Earthquake Strikes Hotel

Venezuelans Comb Quake Rubble in Search for Survivors: 'There Are Still People Alive in There'

The Undercroft: The New Museum Located Underneath the Lincoln Memorial Opens in Time for America's 250th Birthday (Video)

Samaritan's Purse Sending Help to Venezuela after Devastating Earthquakes

Postmaster General Tells Congress USPS Will NOT DELIVER Mail-In Ballots to States That Refuse to Comply with President Trump's Election Integrity Executive Order

US Forces Kill ISIS Leader in Syria Airstrike: CENTCOM

Senate GOP Reverses Course, Rejecting War Powers Resolution after Trump Meeting

Here's What Trump Demanded from Republican Senators Behind Closed Doors

Obama Judge Permanently Blocks Trump's Proof of Citizenship Requirement to Vote; Appeal Coming

SCOTUS Decides How Far States May Regulate Concealed Carry in Public

Supreme Court Rules on Endless 'Temporary Protected Status' for Aliens

Strongest Earthquakes in More Than a Century Hit Venezuela, Causing Widespread Damage, Injuries and Death; Trump Says US Ready to Help

Texas Judge Wins Big After Faith-Based Stand on Marriage, Awarded $640K