The Director for Social Communication of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo State, Rv. Fr. Augustine Ikwu has Confirm that none of the parish Priest was Kidnapped from the attack that Occurred in earlier today at St. Francis Catholic Church.
WAKADAILY Gathered that the incident happened when the mass was ongoing in the church, which is less than 200 Metres away from the Olowo of Owo Palace. Killing over 50 members of the congregation, during the church service.
One of the Health Workers on duty at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo also confirmed that many people were brought to the hospital dead on Sunday. He Said, “They are still bringing people to the hospital, some have been confirmed dead while some are still breathing. But for now, i can’t specify the number of those dead.”
A nurse also said, no enough medical personnel on ground to attend to the casualties at the emergency unit of the hospital while some of the casualties have been taken to private hospital.
Few hours after the attacked, Rv. Fr. Augustine Ikwu posted on the Catholic Diocese Official Facebook page about the Incident,
“today is Pentecost Sunday, a time every Catholic is expected to be in Church to commemorate the Solemnity. It is so sad to say that while the Holy Mass was going on, men of unknown origin, wielding guns attacked St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State. Many are feared dead and many others injured and the Church violated. The identity of the perpetrators remains unknow while the situation has left the community devastated”.
“However, for now, security agencies have been deployed to the community to relatively handle the situation. At this point in the history of our dear country Nigeria, we need God’s ultimate intervention to restore peace and tranquillity”.
“Meanwhile, all the Priests in the parish are safe and none was kidnapped as the social media has it. The Bishop of the Diocese is also with them at this trying time. Let us continue to pray for them and the good people of Owo and the state at large.”
“We turn to God to console the families of those whose lives were lost in this distressing incident, and we pray for the departed souls to rest in peace. Amen.
The Bishop appeals that we remain calm, be law abiding and pray for peace and normalcy to return to our community, state and country’. He Said
