A large number of terrorists on Sunday killed at least 50 worshippers in an attack on the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The attackers used both bombs and gunshots to attack the worshipers inside the church and also killed passersby, who were hit by stray bullets.
The attack occurred during Sunday Church service, eyewitnesses said.
Images that have gone viral show dead bodies strewn all over the church, with men, women, and children lying in pools of their own blood.
There are dead bodies in the aisles, under the pews and all over the church auditorium.
Reports say the attackers drove to the church in a van they snatched from the owner on the road.
They were said to have stormed the church premises during service and started shooting sporadically, while some of them went inside the church, where they detonated explosives that killed the worshippers.
We shall hunt down Killers of Ondo Church Worshippers- Akeredolu
The governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has vowed to hunt down the terrorists who killed over 50 worshippers at the at the St. Francis Catholic Church, in Owo on Sunday.
The attackers struck during church service, and opened fire at the church premises, while some detonated explosives that left scores of people dead inside the church.
Noting in a statement issued on Sunday, that he was saddened by the unprovoked attack, the governor said: “We shall commit every available resource to hunt down these assailants and make them pay”.
Below, the governor’s statement reads:
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 & satanic attack is a calculated assault on the peace-loving people of Owo Kingdom who have enjoyed relative peace over the years.
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.
Gov Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State.
