President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the heinous killing of worshippers on Sunday, June 5, at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, Owo Kingdom, in Ondo State.
Yet-to-be identified gunmen invaded the church during Mass and shot at worshippers from point blank range.
Church pews and benches were a pool of blood thereafter; and cries rang from the pulpit and across the street were a now bereaved church stood.
Various reports say at least 50 persons were shot at, leaving scores dead, including children.
“It is Pentecost Sunday when every Catholic is supposed to be in Church to commemorate the Solemny….we turn to God to console the families of those whose lives were lost to this distressing incident,” says Rev Fr Augustine Ukwu, Director, Social Communications at the Catholic Diocese of Ondo.
A statement from the Presidency announces that “President Buhari mourns the dead, condoles with their families, the Catholic Church, and the Government of Ondo State, charging emergency agencies to swing into action, and bring succor to the wounded.”
The president says, “No matter what, this country shall never give in to evil and wicked people, and darkness will never overcome light. Nigeria will eventually win.”
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu who flew in from Abuja where he was finalising preparations for this week’s APC presidential primary contest, says; “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 am deeply saddened by the unprovoked attack and killing of innocent people of Owo, worshiping at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Today. 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.
“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,” the governor adds.
Nigeria has been battling a spate of insecurity since 2009, with successive governments grappling with keeping terrorists, bandits and kidnappers at bay.