It was a black Sunday yesterday as worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, were attacked and killed by gunmen during service.
It was learnt the gunmen, who attacked the Catholic church, arrived at the premises, which is less than 200 metres from the palace of the Olowo of Owo, at 12pm when the Sunday mass was being rounded off.
According to reports, mostly children and women, were killed in the attack. The gunmen were said to have thrown an improvised explosive device before they started shooting sporadically.
But the state police command in a report said that it was still compiling the casualty figure.
However, a resident of the area, who identified himself as Olabamiji, said the attack was carried out by gunmen who disguised as worshippers before entering the church’s premises.
According to him, immediately they entered the church premises, they threw an IED before shooting the congregants.
He said,
“We saw them. They didn’t cover their faces. Initially, we thought that they were going into the church for the service, not knowing that they were gunmen. Suddenly, we heard gunshots.
“They directed the gun at everyone, particularly women and children.
“While the attack lasted, we did not see any security operative to confront the gunmen. We could not even count their number because everybody had to run for safety.”
The officiating priest at the church, Reverend Father Andrew Abayomi, said the attackers stormed the church when the mass was almost ended.
Abayomi said,
“We were about to round off the service. I had even asked people to start leaving when we started hearing gunshots from different angles.
“We hid inside the church, but some people had left when the attack happened. We locked ourselves in the church for 20 minutes. When we heard that they had left, we opened the church and rushed victims to hospitals.”
A health worker on duty at the FMC, Owo, revealed that over 50 people were brought to the hospital, adding that some were dead already while some were still alive.
He said, “They are still bringing people to the hospital; some have been confirmed dead, while some are still breathing.”
Also, the governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Richard Olatunde, described the attack as satanic and a calculated assault on the people of Owo Kingdom.
The statement read,
“It is a black Sunday in Owo. Our hearts are heavy. Our peace and tranquillity 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 resolve to rid our state of criminals.”
In a statement by the Director of Social Communications of the church, Rev. Fr. Augustine Ikwu, the church said the report over the whereabouts of Fr. Abayomi was untrue.
The statement read,
“ It is Pentecost Sunday, a time every Catholic is expected to be in church to commemorate the solemnity. It is so sad to say that while the Holy
”Mass was going on, and men of unknown origin, wielding guns attacked St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Many are feared dead and many others injured and the church violated.
”The identity of the perpetrators remains unknown while the situation has left the community devastated.”
Nevertheless, the Nigerian Medical Association, in a statement by its National President, Dr. Uche Ojinmah, called for blood donation for injured victims.
He stated,
“We appeal to Nigerians in the affected area of Ondo State to kindly go to the hospitals where the injured are being treated to donate blood to save lives.
“We call on all doctors in Ondo State and the environs to mobilise themselves to participate in the treatment of the injured.”
Here’s what the Olowo of Owo, Ondo State, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, have to say on this sad news.
See the video below!
