Scores killed as gunmen attack Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo during service
Gunmen on Sunday attacked the Saint Francis Catholic Church in the Owaluwa area of Owo, Ondo state.
The suspected terrorists were reported to have detonated explosives in the church premises which is situated close to the palace of the Olowo of Owo killing many worshippers congregating for mass and leaving several others injured.
According to sources, the gunmen also used some explosives within the compound of the church but said most of the people were hit by bullets.
Again, the gunmen were said to have used dynamites to blow up the church’s altar while the service was in progress.
Conflicting figures of the number of death ranging between 40 and 50 people have been reportedly killed in an attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, in Owo town, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
A viral online video showed some worshippers being killed and lying on the floor of the church in the pool of their own blood.
Local sources explained that the congregation was caught unawares, saying the casualty might be more than 50 corpses as some worshippers who were taken to the Federal Medical Center, Owo, for medical attention have given up.
Workers at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, confirmed that many people were brought in dead on Sunday.
One of the health workers on duty at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, where the casualties were taken to said over 50 people had been brought to the hospital.
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.”
The perpetrators were said to have fled the scene immediately they carried out the killing, leaving many people dead.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami, said the command was yet to ascertain the cause of the incident.
“The CP (Commissioner of Police) is on his way to the scene to ascertain the cause of the incident. We have been hearing so many things about it but I will get back to you.”
