5th June, 2022
The Catholic Diocese of Ondo has said no priest was abducted by gunmen who attacked a parish of its church in Owo during service on Sunday, contrary to claims in some posts in the social media.
The Ondo Diocese of Catholic Church said this in a statement by Rev. Fr. Augustine IKWU, its Director, Director Social Communications while speaking on the attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo.
Gunmen armed with explosive devices had invaded the church while service was going on and launched attack on the worshippers on Sunday.
Some reports indicated that as many as 50 worshippers were killed by the gunmen while many others were injured.
However, the Ondo State Police Command has not confirmed the number of lives lost to the dastardly attack.
Some reports had also indicated that the gunmen took away some priests from the Church.
But while the church confirmed that the gunmen killed many worshippers and injured many others, it however said none of the Priest or the Bishop in the parish was kidnapped as claimed in the social media posts.
The Church also said the identity of the gunmen who attacked St. Francis Catholic Church was not yet known.
Read The Full Statement By The Ondo Diocese of Catholic Church below:
ATTACK ON ST. FRANCIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, OWO, ONDO STATE NIGERIA
It is Pentecost Sunday when 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, unknown Gunmen attacked St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State. Leaving many 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 and Bishop in the parish are safe and non was kidnapped as the social media has it. Nonetheless, 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 to 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.
Signed
Rev. Fr. Augustine IKWU
Director, Social Communications
June 5, 2022