Low turnout at Ondo churches over fear of another attack
By Akintunde Jacobs, Akure
Christian worshipers, in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo state, were on Sunday still gripped with fear following the last Sunday terror attack that rocked the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, Owo.
Our Correspondent who visited some of the churches in Owo again, could see that many churches, which used to be filled to capacity with worshippers, recorded a very low number of attendants, as the seats were sparsely populated.
Recall that Nigerian NewsDirect had reported that the deadly attack occurred in the Sanctuary of St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street in Owo with reckless detonation of explosives and subsequent shootings of innocent souls in a commando-like attack that lasted for 30 minutes, involved 127 persons, killing about 40 innocent worshippers in the early hours of the morning Mass.
While security agencies including the men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigerian Army (NA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed ‘Amotekun were visible close to churches while others were seen patrolling streets with their vans.
Some of the churches visited in Owo include: Saint Andrews Cathedral, Imola street, Saint Patrick Anglican Church Ijebu-Owo; Saint Stephen Catholic Church Oke-Ogun, The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pentecost Parish, Folahan Ale street, and New Church Cathedral, Fajuyi, Owo.
At the St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, where the last Sunday terror attack occurred, where women and children were largely targeted and killed during Sunday Mass, it was deserted and under lock and key but armed police officers and soldiers were seen outside the church premises.
However, as of the time of filing this report, no priest has conducted a holy mass to cleanse the church of what has been described as a sacrilegious attack in the house of God by agents of darkness.
But, Ejike Nwali, a member of the St Stephen Catholic Church, Oke-Ogun, who spoke with journalists said it will be unchristian for him to stay away from the God’s house for fear of attack.
“Why will I be afraid to go to church because St Francis was attacked? To me, to live is Christ, he is my source of joy, my reason to live and to die is to gain eternity,” Nwali said.
Speaking in the same vein, Kehinde Ogunkorode, the assistant Pastor, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, His Praise Parish, Oke-Ogun, Owo, said; the Book of Isaiah 41:10, God instructs the prophet to tell His people not to fear. ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand,’ so, you can see us here in our large number, we are not scared.”
