It was the worst possible way to usher in Christmas as unknown gunmen attacked a church in northern Nigeria during a midnight mass, killing the pastor and six worshippers. As if that was not enough, they proceeded to set the building ablaze.

The incident happened at Peri village near Potiskum, the economic capital of Yobe State, North-East Nigeria, with the target being a branch of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) – formerly known as Evangelical Church of West Africa.

The international news agency AFP quotes Usman Mansir, a resident of the town, as saying: “A group of gunmen came into the village at midnight and went straight to the church.

“They opened fire on them, killing the pastor and five worshippers. They then set fire to the church.”

A senior police official in Yobe confirmed the details to AFP, but declined to be named.

Yobe police chief Sanusi Rufa’i said “this is a security issue” and refused to comment further.

Boko Haram Islamists have carried out several attacks in Yobe, which borders Borno State, where the insurgent group has its headquarters.

•Photo: Gunmen (not the ones who attacked the church).