17 people were killed in the northeastern town of Mubi in Nigeria amid rising fear of sectarian clashes in the country.

17 people were killed in the northeastern town of Mubi in Nigeria amid rising fear of sectarian clashes in the country.

"There was an attack last night at Good Will Hotel in which five people were killed, all of them Igbos (Christian group), and today, some friends and relations of one of those killed in the attack gathered in his house to mourn his death," AFP quoted a resident as saying.

"Unfortunately some yet to be identified gunmen arrived at the house and shot dead 17 mourners,” the resident added.