President Muhammadu Buhari, the Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and a presidential aspirant of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Adewole Adebayo have condemned the unprovoked attack and killing of innocent people of Owo, worshiping at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, on Sunday.
Gunmen were reported to have stormed the church and opened fire on the worshipers, leaving several persons dead.
Buhari in his reaction, said eternal sorrow awaits perpetrators of the crime.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina, said, “only fiends from the nether region could have conceived and carried out such dastardly act.”
He added that “eternal sorrow awaits them both on earth here, and ultimately in the hereafter.
“President Buhari mourns the dead, condoles with their families, the Catholic Church, and the Government of Ondo State, charging emergency agencies to swing into action, and bring succor to the wounded.
“No matter what, this country shall never give in to evil and wicked people, and darkness will never overcome light. Nigeria will eventually win,” the President said
Akeredolu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde said 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.
The statement reads, “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.
Also in his reaction, Adebayo expressed his deepest sadness as over the sad development as he called on the government to act.
In a tweet on his Twitter handle, the renowned lawyer said “It is with deepest sadness that I heard of the killings at the Catholic church in Owo, Ondo State.Wanton destruction of lives, peace and sanctity in the sanctuary of faith by evil forces is a stain on the conscience of Nigeria and final whistle against complacency.Govt must act!”
