Outrage over bandit’s attack of Owo Catholic Church
…Over 50 feared dead
…Akeredolu, Oyetola, Okowa, others condemn attack
…Killings were direct attack on Gov. Akeredolu — Afenifere
…Go after perpetrators now—CAN tells Ondo Govt, security agencies
…Attack traumatising, unbelievable — Ondo APC, PDP
…Expert warns Nigerians to be extra vigilant in soft target centres
By Akintunde Jacobs, Akure, Ismail Azeez, Osogbo, Dave Okpogadie, Asaba and Uthman Salami
There was pandemonium yesterday in Owo, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo state as some suspected bandits launch a devastating attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa, leaving scores of worshippers and priest brutally murdered.
Our Correspondent who visited the scene of the incident learnt that the bomb attack allegedly carried out by some suspected gunmen, which occurred on the Church premises behind Olowo of Owo palace, left many, yet to be confirmed, scores of people dead.
It was observed that the gunmen used dynamites to blow the altar of the Church while the service was about to round up.
An eyewitness, Kehinde Ogunkorode, who spoke with journalists said the incident had caused pandemonium in the area as no fewer than 50 persons were killed by the gunmen.
According to him, some residents, who escaped being killed, ran for their safety.
Blood stains litter the floor of the Church as corpses were moved to the Federal Medical Centre and St Louis Catholic Hospital, Owo.
Many who were injured in the incident have also been rushed to the hospital.
It was, however, gathered that some security men who later came to the scene of the incident were chased away immediately by angry people.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Funmilayo Odunlami, who also confirmed the attack said the Commissioner of Police, Oyeyemi Oyediran had deployed men of the Explosives Ordinance Device unit aka Anti Bomb Squad to the scene while all efforts is being intensified to arrest those who perpetrated the evil.
Odunlami further implored the people of the state to be calm as all security apparatus are currently active to ensure peace in Owo.
Akeredolu, Oyetola, Okowa condemn attack, condoles with families of victims.
Meanwhile, Governors Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Gboyega Oyetola of Osun and Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State have comdemned the attack noting that they were completely deeply saddened by the unprovoked attack and killing of innocent people of Owo, worshiping at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, on Sunday.
Akeredolu, in a statement made available to journalists by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, however, disclosed that the government shall commit every available resources to hunt down these assailants and make them pay.
The statement further read, “The vile and satanic attack is a calculated assault on the peace-loving people of Owo Kingdom who have enjoyed relative peace over the years.
“It is a black Sunday in Owo. Our hearts are heavy. Our peace and tranquility have been attacked by the enemies of the people. This is a personal loss, an attack on our dear state.
“I have spoken to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Most Reverend Jude Arogundade, who is presently on his way to Owo. Similarly, I have had to cut short my party’s national assignment in Abuja and visit Owo immediately.
“This is an unexpected development. I am shocked to say the least. Nevertheless, We shall commit every available resources to hunt down these assailants and make them pay. We shall never bow to the machinations of heartless elements in our resolve to rid our state of criminals.
“I commiserate with my people in Owo, particularly families of those who lost their lives to this ugly and unfortunate attack. I extend my condolences to Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye as well as the Catholic Church.
“I urge our people to remain calm and vigilant. Do not take laws into your hands. I have spoken to the heads of the security agencies. I have equally been assured that security operatives would be deployed to monitor and restore normalcy to Owo kingdom.”
In a statement signed on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Funke Egbemode, Oyetola commiserated with the Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and the people of the State over the attack.
According to the statement, “Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and Osun State Government condemn in strong terms the terrorist attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa street, Owo local government area of Ondo State, in which several lives were lost and many worshippers injured.
“An attack of this nature is totally barbaric, wicked and an act of unprovoked aggression against innocent people. It is both mean and inhumane to turn the sacred sanctuary of a church to a killing field on a Sunday morning.
“While expressing sympathy to the families of those killed in the attack, and especially to the Catholic Diocese of Ondo and the government of Ondo State, we are also assuring Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and the government of Ondo State of our support in any and every way possible.
“We will continue to uphold our collective resolve at all levels to confront these evil doers till the frontiers of bloodshed is totally wiped out .
“We pray God grants the families of the victims of this very unfortunate incidence the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, while we pray for quick recovery of all those who sustained various forms of injuries.” the statement added.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta also condoled with his Ondo State counterpart, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, over Sunday’s attack at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, which led to the killing of no fewer than 40 worshippers.
He condemned the dastardly act and called on security agents to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Okowa’s condolence message was contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, wherein he expressed shock and sadness over the heinous killing of innocnent worshippers at the Owo Church.
“We received the news of the gruesome attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, which led to the death of many worshippers.
“We join all well-meaning Nigerians to condemn this unprovoked attack at a worship centre and call on security agencies to intensify efforts towards arresting the culprits and bringing them to book.
“The attack is not just barbaric but an affront on the Church of Christ, and we stand in solidarty with the Ondo people at this trying time.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I condole with my dear brother governor, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu and the people of Ondo State over the gruesome attack on innocent worshippers on Sunday in Owo.
“My profound condolences also go to the families of the deceased, the entire Catholic Church and the people of Owo Kingdom,” Okowa stated.
Killings were direct attack on Gov. Akeredolu — Afenifere
The Pan-Yoruba Socio-political Organisation, Afenifere, has said that the incident was a direct attack on the Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, as well as Yoruba land.
The Organising Secretary of the organisation, Kole Omololu, in a statement also made available to journalists in Akure, however, condemned the attack.
The statement read, “The massacre in Owo Catholic Church is a direct attack on Yoruba land.
“It is directed at Governor Rotimi Akeredolu for his unflinching support for security in Yoruba land by championing the Amotekun security outfits, his stringent upholding of the open grazing law, and for his ‘big mouth’ about Southern co-operation for equity and justice in Nigeria.
“We will not succumb into terrorist threat or attack.
“They will not be allowed to bring down our civilisation. We will hunt the killers down. Citizens should not take law into their own hands by attacking innocent northerners. Only the terrorists, who are mostly foreign Fulani, should be fished out and finish off by the security forces.
“This attack is to cause confusion and cause war in our land. We should not play into their hands. This evil is condemned in the strongest term.
“We commiserate with the government and people of Ondo state, the Catholic Church, the Olowo of Owo and the people of Owo. May the soul of the departed rest in peace.”
Bandits’ killings in Owo traumatising, unbelievable — Ondo APC, PDP
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has described the attack on the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, as unbelievably shocking and despicable.
The APC in Ondo state through its Publicity Secretary, Alex Kalejaye, said the party is deeply sad by the act of wickedness, that left on its trail misery, painful tears, and irreparable losses.
Recall that the entire people of Owo, in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo state on Sunday morning was thrown into total confusion, mourning and frustration as some gunmen suspected to be bandits attacked the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa street, killing scores of innocent worshipers.
The APC statement reads, “The Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin on behalf of the State chapter, condemns the killing of innocent souls, in a most gruesome manner, who gathered to worship their creator.
“Adetimehin prayed to God to console the bereaved families, Mr. Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and the Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye, over the attack.
“The State APC challenges security agencies to smoke out the perpetrators of the dastard act, and make all necessary arrangements to forestall a recurrence.
“Adetimehin further urges the good people of the State to be more vigilant and report suspicious activity to security agencies, for prompt response.”
Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has condemned in very strong terms the attack in which more than fifty persons including women and children were killed saying it was very sad that human lives mean very little to those whose business it is to provide security for lives and properties in our country.
Kennedy Ikantu Peretei, the Ondo state PDP Publicity Secretary said, “A situation where everybody lives in fear of being kidnapped or even killed in this senseless manner should be addressed as a matter of urgency by the Muhammadu Buhari led All Progressives Congress (APC) government. We cannot continue to live like this as a people.
“Our party commiserates with families of the victims of this attack, the Olowo of Owo, His Royal Majesty Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye 111 and all Ondo State people who are traumatised by this killing. We also urge the security agencies to up their game to be more proactive than allowing this kind of calamity to strike before promises of tracking down the culprits.
“It is unacceptable for worshippers to be mowed down in a Church. The perpetrators must certainly be animals just in human skin. It is sacrilegious.”
Go after perpetrators now — CAN tells Ondo Govt, security agencies
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ondo State chapter, has called on Ondo State Government and security agencies in the state to as a matter of urgency go after the perpetrators of this herenious act and bring them to justice.
The Ondo state CAN Chairman, Rev Fr. Anselm Ologunwa who expressed shock over the dastardly act, in a statement made available to journalists by the Director of Information and Communication, Daisi Ajayi, however, described the incident as ungodly.
He said, the incident is one of the numerous cases happening under the security challenges facing the country which he called on President Muhammadu Buhari to address this squarely.
According to him, no where is safe in Nigeria with the recent kidnapping of Prelate of the Methodist Church and two others on the road, the train and on the air and now is inside the Church of God.
Fr Ologunwa who said today being the feast of the Pentecost Sunday in the history of the Catholic church, assures the people that the Holy Spirit of God will definitely fight for those that were killed in the incident.
The CAN Chairman condole with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the incident, the Catholic community and the entire state and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
He affirmed that the Christian Association of Nigeria, in Ondo State would continue to promote religious harmony and equal opportunities for all in the State without discrimination.
He also admonished the people of the state to complement governor Akeredolu’s effort on their security and always be security conscious at all times.
Expert warns Nigerians to be extra vigilant in soft target centres
Reacting to the killing in a chat with Nigerian NewsDirect yesterday, a security expert and Chief
Executive Officer, Beacon Security Consult, Dr. Kabiru Adamu while condemning the attack, he advised Nigerians everywhere especially soft targets to be more viligant.
“It is a condemnable and sacrilegious attack that is against everything the omnipotent God and what we stand for as humanity stands for.
“The law enforcement agencies need to speak up and release a preliminary statement. The social media is awash with accusations that is in itself dangerous.
That needs to be stopped by a factual statement.
“In the meantime, we need to come up with an effective and efficient way to protect our places of worship. That is harden them from the current soft targets to harden targets.
“We commend the Ondo State government for the speedy release of its statement and for advising restraint. We call on both the Ondo and federal government to take quick action to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.
“In the meantime, Nigerians everywhere should be vigilant and report all acts of law breach. These people are.not ghosts. Only our efforts jointly can bring this sacrilege to an end,” he stated.
