The attack on the church in Owo, Rotimi Akeredolu’s birthplace, happened just a week after the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Bishop Samuel Kanu-Uche, was abducted in Abia State by gunmen the priest subsequently identified as Fulani youths.
The gunmen who attacked the Catholic church entered the site, which is less than 200 meters from the palace of the Olowo of Owo, around 12 p.m., when the Sunday mass was wrapping up.
It was gathered that worshippers, mostly children, and women, were killed in the attack, by gunmen, who were said to have thrown an improvised explosive device before they started shooting sporadically.
A 37-second video posted online showed some of the slain worshippers in a pool of blood.
Workers of the Federal Medical Centre and Saint Louis Hospital, both in Owo, where the dead and the injured were taken to, said that a total of 35 people were brought in dead.
But the state police command told The PUNCH at 8:30pm that it was still compiling the casualty figure. Also, the church and the state government did not specify the casualty figure.
Both Reuters and Voice of America reported on Sunday that over 50 people were killed in the attack.
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 confront the gunmen. We could not even count their number because everybody had to run for safety.”
Survivors Recount Their Experience
In an interview with The PUNCH, one of the survivors, named Mary Williams, said she narrowly escaped the onslaught.
Williams claimed she went to the service but was outside when the gunmen arrived and opened fire, killing several people.
“The mass ended and I got out to be going home. I was beside the fence of the church when suddenly I heard those sporadic gunshots. Initially, I thought they were armed robbers trying to rob somebody but I later discovered that the heavy sounds of gunshots were inside the church.
“I jumped into a gutter where I hid. It was like we were on a war front the way the gunmen were shooting for about 15minutes. My legs were injured and I was taken to the hospital and discharged.”
Reverend Father Andrew Abayomi, the church’s officiating priest, said the assailants attacked the church as the mass was about to conclude.
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, said 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.”
A nurse at St. Louis Hospital, Owo, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said many casualties were brought to the hospital.
She said, “A lot of casualties have been brought here, but I can count 12 now that have died. We are still trying to save the lives of the remaining.”
At the FMC Owo, many people were seen crying as they did not know the fate of their relatives who were receiving treatment at the Emergency Department of the hospital.
A doctor at the FMC, on condition of anonymity, said 23 people were brought in dead, adding that 28 people were injured.
He said, “ As at the last count, 23 dead bodies were brought in while 28 sustained various degrees of injuries. Some with light injuries were treated and discharged immediately. That is the situation for now.”
At the St. Louis Catholic Hospital, scores of relatives were seen discussing the incident while some were weeping.
It was learnt that a former chairman of the Obafemi Awolowo University Alumni Association in Owo, Dr J. A. Ajanaku, his wife and one of their daughters were among those killed.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, said the command had yet to ascertain the cause of the incident and the number of casualties.
“The commissioner of police is on his way to the scene to ascertain the cause of the incident. We have been hearing so many things about it, but I will get back to you.”
The PPRO said the casualty figure was still not available as of 8:30pm when one of our correspondents contacted her again.
She said, “ I have yet to have the casualty figure now but I believe by tomorrow, we are going to issue another statement. As I said, the CP has deployed an anti-bomb squad on the scene and they are working there. As I am speaking with you now, the CP has yet to return from Owo on the matter.”
Akeredolu Speaks Out About The Deadly Owo Catholic Church Attack
Ondo State’s government has committed to tracking down the terrorists who attacked attendees at St Francis Catholic Church on Owa-Iuwa Street on Sunday.
In a statement released on Sunday, Ondo Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu expressed regret over the unprovoked attack and massacre of innocent people in Owo, describing the crime as satanic and “unexpected.”
Richard Olatunde, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State, stated in a statement on Sunday that the incident is a deliberate assault on the peace-loving inhabitants of the Owo Kingdom “who have enjoyed relative peace over the years.”
The statement partly reads: “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 the Owo kingdom.
“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.”
UK Govt Condemns Gunmen Attack The Ondo Catholic Church
Catriona Laing, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, has condemned the deaths of worshippers at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.
The British commissioner in a tweet via her official Twitter page @Catrionaliang1 on Sunday evening, Laing condemned the perpetrators of the Owo Church attack.
The British official also expressed her condolences to the victims of the heinous act as well as the people of Owo and Ondo State.
She wrote: “Terrible news today from Owo in Ondo state. I condemn those responsible for this horrific crime. I extend my sympathies to all those affected.”
Tinubu Reacts To Owo Catholic Church Attack
Meanwhile, a frontline presidential aspirant and former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu said the attack on worshippers at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State is highly reprehensible.
The presidential hopeful stated that the violent attack on Sunday morning shocked the conscience of the nation and shattered the peace of the ancient town of Owo.
Tinubu said in a statement by his media office in Abuja while reacting to the attack on the Catholic Churchin Owa-luwa Street in Owo Local Government Area of the state.
He, however, stated that the attackers cannot break the country’s collective spirit and Nigerians’ will to live in peace and with compassion for all regardless of faith.
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.”
On its part, the Christian Association of Nigeria described the perpetrators as “possessed, demonic and are not working for the good of the country.”
CAN, in a statement titled, “Owo killing: No explanation for the carnage” by Adebayo Oladeji, Media Assistant to the its President, Rev Dr Samson Ayokunle, stated, “This is sad, wrong, condemnable, outrageous, unacceptable and satanic. There is no explanation for this unprovoked attack and assault on a place of worship. This is raw persecution.
“These people are possessed, demonic and are not working for the good of the country. May God descend heavily on them and fight them mindless agents of Satan from their roots in Jesus’ name.”
President Buhari Reacts To Owo Catholic Church Massacre
In his reaction, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), condemned the killing of worshippers at the Catholic church.
According to a statement signed on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said, “No matter what, this country shall never give in to evil and wicked people, and darkness will never overcome light. Nigeria will eventually win.”
The Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Funke Egbemode, said the attack was barbaric, wicked and unprovoked aggression against innocent people.
The Leader of the Yoruba self-determination movement, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Prof. Banji Akintoye, described the Sunday attack as a declaration of war against the Yoruba people.
The Ilana group’s leader, in a statement by the Communications Secretary of IOOW, Mr Maxwell Adeleye, called on Governor Akeredolu to declare an emergency against the activities of Fulani herdsmen in the state with immediate effect.
The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, condoled with the families of the victims.
Osinbajo, who is also a presidential aspirant, in a tweet posted on his official handle late Sunday, Osinbajo said “I am saddened by the senseless massacre of innocent people in Owo.
“My deepest condolences go to the families whose hearts are broken and are grasping for answers. We are united in grief and a resolve to defeat the cowards who unleash terror on defenseless people.”
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, called for immediate action from the government.
Gbajabiamila, who condemned the dastardly act, according to a statement by the Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, described those behind the attack as “enemies of the state, who must be fished out and dealt with accordingly.”
The Governor of Ekiti State and APC aspirant, Dr Kayode Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, described the attack as “vile, barbaric and callous”, adding that “there can never be any justification for the heinous behaviour of the assailants”.
The lawmaker representing Ondo north senatorial district, Ajayi Borofice, in a statement on Sunday also condemned the attack, urging security agencies to arrest and prosecute the attackers.
The apex Igbo Socio-cultural Ohanaeze Ndigbo, condemned the attack, describing it as unprovoked.
Ohanaeze spokesman, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, advised Amotekun to buckle up and defend their people noting that if they wait for federal security their land would be overrun by Fulani terrorists.
