Tragedy occurred on sunday in Owo in Nigeria as gunmen shot and killed many worshippers during church service at St Francis Catholic Church,Owo in southwestern Ondo state just as the people gathered in the church for service.
Gunmen opened were said to have fired at worshippers and detonated explosives, leading to the dozens of the whole feared dead,including children.
A Lawmaker, Ogunmolasuyi Oluwole, said the attackers targeted the Catholic just as people gathered on Sunday.
Oluwole visited the scene and also the hospital in Owo – a town in the state where many of the wounded are being treated.
Meanwhile, Ondo State Government has
assured that it would not leave any stone unturned to bring the perpectrators of the heinous crime to book.
The governor of the state, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu,who gave the assurance in a statement on Sunday in Akure,expressed sadness over the unprovoked attack and killing of innocent people of Owo, describing the development as satanic and“unexpected”
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Richard Olatunde, qouted his boss stating that the attack was a calculated assault on the peace-loving people of the Owo Kingdom” who have enjoyed relative peace over the years.”
The Governor said::“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 resources 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.”
Aljazera/The Reporters.