A priest in the attacked St. Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street in Owo, Ondo State, Rev Father Andrew Abayomi, has narrated how the terrorists carried out the attack.
The priest, who spoke with the BBC News Yoruba after the incident, disclosed that the terrorists struck as the Mass service was about to end.
His words: “We were about to round off service. I had even asked people to start leaving, that was how 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 the hospital.”
Rotimi Akeredolu
Meanwhile, the Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has described the attack as “vile and satanic.
The governor, who hails from Owo town, where the incident had happened, said the attack was a calculated assault on the peace-loving people of Owo Kingdom, whom he noted have enjoyed relative peace over the years.
In his reaction through a statement by him, he said: “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.”
