Militants attack church in SW Nigeria, kill 52 worshippers

Gunmen on Sunday morning attacked a Catholic church in Owo in Nigeria’s South West Ondo state, killing more than 52 worshippers and injuring many others.

The gunmen were reported to have attacked St. Francis Catholic Church with homemade bombs and in the confusion, entered inside the church and started shooting at worshippers during the service.

At least 52 corpses and the other injured worshippers were evacuated from the church to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo.

A video of the incident and the casualties inside the church was trending on social media as locals condemned the attack.

The perpetrators were said to have fled the scene immediately they carried out the deadly attack.

Boko Haram style

It was the modus operandi of Boko Haram insurgents to attack and kill worshippers in churches but no such incident had been reported since 2015.

The June 6 attack in Owo is the first of such in South West Nigeria, a region that had been relatively peaceful.

Confirming the incident, the governor of Ondo state, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, expressed his deep sadness by the unprovoked attack and killing of innocent people.

“The vile and satanic attack is a calculated assault on the peace-loving people of Owo kingdom who have enjoyed relative peace over the years.

Black Sunday

“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.”

He said he had spoken to the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Most Reverend Jude Arogundade, who was 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 resolve to rid our state of criminals,” he said.

He urged the people of Owo to remain calm and vigilant.

“Do not take the law 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,” he said.

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