- * Commiserate With Families Of Victims, Flays Attack
By Oluseyi Agagu (Ondo State Correspondent)
Hours after the gruesome, bloody attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, in Owo town, Owo local government area of Ondo State, South West Nigeria, in which worshippers were killed and many more people injured during today's (Sunday, June 5, 2022) morning service, governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has expressed great sadness while condoling with the families of the victims.
The angry governor, Akeredolu, has vowed that the government will be on the hot trail of the yet unknown attackers until they are apprehended and made to pay for their crimes, according to the law of the land.
Earlier reports in both social and traditional media with indicating, trending video, revealed that the attack was caused by an explosion in the church premises, while another version of the report claimed that it was the handiwork of some unknown gunmen who allegedly invaded the church and shot sporadically at the innocent worshippers.
The brief, trending video shows said scene shows sickening sights of a church with corpses littering the floor with victims in a pool of blood.
A statement on Sunday,.June 5, 2022 by governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu through his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, said the bloody attack has disrupted the peace of Owo Kingdom in Ondo state.
According to the statement, governor Akeredolu 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.” Akeredolu said. NNL.
