The priest in charge of St Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Owo local government area of Ondo State has opened up on how the church was attacked on Sunday by suspected terrorists.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the suspected terrorists attacked St Francis Catholic church in Owo on Sunday, detonating dynamites before opening fire on worshippers.
At the time of filing this report, no fewer than 50 corpses have been moved out of the church and dozens of others have been taken to the hospital for urgent medical attention.
The Reverend Father in charge of the parish, Fr Andrew Abayomi said the church service was about to end when they started hearing dynamite explosions with accompanying gunshots.
“I ordered church members not to leave, saying they should hide inside the church but as with human nature, given the circumstances, people were afraid for their lives.
“The attack happened for up to twenty minutes and after we heard they had left, that was when we came out and started taking the dead and others injured to the hospital,” Abayomi managed to narrate to BBC News Pidgin.
Ondo Gov, Akeredolu weeps over attack
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has expressed deep sadness by the unprovoked attack and killing of innocent people of Owo, worshipping at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street on Sunday.
“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,” the Governor said in a statement released by Richard Olatunde, Chief Press Secretary to Akeredolu.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the statement further reads: “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 resource to hunt down these assailants and make them pay. We shall never bow to the machinations of heartless elements in our resolves to rid our state of criminals.
“I commiserate with my people in Owo, particularly families of the 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”.
