Gunmen kidnap 9 Catholic worshippers at night prayers in Nigeria: police

Gunmen seized nine worshippers from a Catholic church during Sunday night prayers in restive central Nigeria, police said, in the latest bout of kidnappings in Africa's most populous country.

Benue state is part of Nigeria's so-called Middle Belt region, which has seen clashes between farmers and herders over land and natural resources, as well as kidnapping for ransom by armed criminals known locally as "bandits".

The latest attack comes after a spate of mass kidnappings in Nigeria that drew international scrutiny over the country's grim security situation.

"Nine people have been abducted by gunmen during a night vigil while the worshippers were praying at St. John's Catholic Church" in Ado local government area, police spokeswoman Udeme Edet, told AFP.

Just weeks ago, dozens of worshippers were snatched from three churches during Sunday services in northcentral Kaduna state. They have since been freed, with the last group released late last week.

The Sunday attack follows mass kidnappings late last year - including of around 300 Catholic school children and staff.

Nigeria is roughly evenly split between a mostly Christian south and Muslim-majority north, and is home to myriad conflicts, which experts say kill both Christians and Muslims, often without distinction.

On December 21, unidentified attackers abducted 28 people, including women and children, in central Plateau state while they were travelling to a Malud gathering to mark the birth of the Prophet Mohammed. They were released weeks later.