Armed bandits killed many worshipers at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa Street, Owo in Ondo State on Sunday
in the pandemonium, residents of the neighbourhood of the church, which is less than 200 meters away from the palace of the Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye. ran for safety.
The gory details of the attack and killings were contained in a 37 seconds online video which circulated online.
It showed some worshipers being killed as blood littered the church. Some worshipers were seen lying on the floor of the church in a pool of blood.
The video indicated that those people lying down were shot.
Another source said it was an explosion that rocked the church, killing many people.
A health worker on duty at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, where the casualties were taken to said over 50 people had been brought to the hospital, saying some were dead already while some were still alive.
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 that died.”
A source in palace said that the whole area was enveloped with tension and panic.
His words: “The church that was attacked was at the back of the palace and we are still wondering how gunmen could carry out such an attack at the central eye of the town. This is unbelievable. Kabiyesi would soon issue a statement on the incident.”
Police spokeswoman in the state, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, said the command was yet to ascertain the cause the incident.
She said: “The Commissioner of Police is on his way to the scene to ascertain the cause of the incident. We have been hearing some many things about it but I will get back to you.”
It was learny that the heads of state security agencies in the state have rushed to the ancient town
A member of the St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, in Owo council area of Ondo State, Kehinde Ogunkorode has confirmed that gunmen suspected to be kidnappers attacked the church killing no fewer than 25 worshipers.
Ogunkorode said that the bandits numbering five stormed the church during service and shot members.
According to him ” lt was like a movie, they invaded the church and shot indiscriminately.Several people were killed including children and women.
“It was when they wanted to abduct the priest that they threw dynamite into the church.
Another source confirmed that no fewer than 25 corpses have been moved out of the church with many casualties lying at the Federal Medical Center, Owo, for medical attention
According to him “some gunmen invaded the church during service, opened fire and killed no fewer than 25 members of the church.
Another source said “The congregants were caught unaware by the killers. They also used explosives but many were shot.”
It was learnt that it is actually an explosive device used on the Church and that the attackers came disguised as worshipers
They reportedly kidnapped a Reverend Father.
The two Police Division in Owo town and Area Command reportedly had no official patrol van to get to the scene of the crime immediately.
It was learnt that “They have almost 50 men stand by at the ACPOL, Owo but no mobility.”
Information also has it that the criminals did not come with vehicles, they hijacked vehicle on the road to convey their victim.
The owner of the hijacked vehicle had gone to Owo A. Division to report.
Owo township roads had been deserted as people had stayed off the roads while the details are yet to be fully revealed.
