Dozens Killed as Gunmen attacks a Nigerian Catholic Church
Some Gunmen on Sunday June 5th attacked a congregation of catholic Worshippers at Owo town in Ondo State Nigeria, leaving at-least fifty people dead.
The incident occurred in the morning at the church, located on Owaluwa Street, Owo, where suspected bandits launched an attack in a grand commando style, as the mass was almost ended. The invaders shot at the worshippers and ignited dynamites that caved in parts of the building.
It was supposed to be Pentecost Sunday when Catholics were expected to commemorate the solemnity of the occasion, but pains, agony, gloom and fear, yesterday, descended on the densely populated Owo in Ondo State, as yet to be identified gunmen opened fire on the congregation at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, which was celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after his ascension. The attack left at least 50 dead.
It was a gory sight as dead bodies, both old and young, mostly women and children littered the church. Some bodies were dismembered with internal organs splashed on the temple ground.
After the dust settled, the throng of sympathizers expressed dismay at the poor response of police to their distress call, though a security source revealed that the two divisions, area command and mobile police in Owo do not have operational vehicles despite having a standby squad.
They disclosed that the invaders did not come with vehicles to carry out the operation but reportedly hijacked vehicles from motorists plying the Owo-Akure Road to escape.
The priest, who presided over the mass, Rev. Fr. Andrew Abayomi, refuted his abduction rumour. He said after he pronounced the end of the mass, they started hearing gunshots and dynamite blasts repeatedly.
“We asked the people to seek refuge inside the church and we locked the doors. Some people still tried to escape; the attack was on for about 20 minutes.”
The Secretary of Owo Local Government Area, Mr. Taye Adako, decried the wanton killing and destruction by the bandits, assuring the people that government would intensify efforts to arrest the culprits. He appealed to the people to keep calm, adding that the governor had deployed all security operatives to be on the ground to forestall the breakdown of law and order.
Adeyemi Olayemi, a lawmaker in Ondo, said the attack was believed to have been carried out by bandits.
Olayemi said the attack was likely to have been in retaliation for recent restrictions by the state government on grazing in Ondo, including in forests where the assailants have carried out attacks.
“We have enjoyed improved security since herdsmen were driven away from our forests by this administration,” Olayemi said. “This is a reprisal attack to send a diabolical message to the governor.”
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the heinous killing of worshippers in Ondo. The President, in a condolence message released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said only wicked and devilish people could have conceived and carried out such a dastardly act.
According to him, eternal sorrow awaits them both on earth here, and ultimately in the hereafter.
“No matter what, this country shall never give in to evil and wicked people, and darkness will never overcome the light. Nigeria will eventually win,” he said while charging emergency agencies to swing into action and bring succor to the wounded.
