24 killed and 18 wounded by armed terrorists during attack in Burkina Faso

24 people have been slaughtered by Islamist gunmen during an attack on a Christian church in Burkina Faso, Africa.

18 people were also injured during the Jihadist assault on a Protestant church in the village of Pansi in the Yagha province of eastern Burkina Faso.

Governor Colonel Salfo Kabore, said in a statement, "the village was raided by a group of armed terrorists who attacked the peaceful local population after having identified them and separated them from non-residents.

"The provisional toll is 24 killed, including the pastor... 18 wounded and individuals who were kidnapped," Kabore added.

The attack occurred during Sunday service at a Christian church, security officials said. The Islamists killed both Christians and Muslims before setting the church on fire, a government security official in Dori revealed, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak to the media.

A resident of the nearby town of Sebba said Pansi villagers had fled there for safety, according to the Daily Mail.

The mayor of Boundore commune, Sihanri Osangola Brigadie, said roughly 20 attackers separated men from women close to a Protestant church.