UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the church attack in Nigeria's Ondo State on Sunday, which left hundreds of people dead, said his spokesman.

"The secretary-general strongly condemns the horrific attack on the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, on June 5 that resulted in the deaths and injury of scores of civilians as people gathered for the Pentecost service," said spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

"Attacks on places of faith are heinous, Guterres said. He calls on Nigerian authorities to make every effort to apprehend the criminals "Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying.

Guterres further  expressed his heartfelt condolences to the victims' families and wished the injured a fast recovery. He also extended his condolences and solidarity with Nigeria's government and people,  the statement said.

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