Police on Monday says at least three unexploded improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have been recovered from the scene of the Owo church attack.
A statement by police spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi said its personnel has also recovered “pellets of expended AK-47 ammunition” from the scene.
Condemning the tragic incident, the Inspector-General of Police said full-scale investigations into the incident have been ordered with a view to bringing to book the perpetrators of the gruesome killings.According to the statement, the attack was carried out by yet-to-be-identified gunmen.
The flag will be flown at half-mast for seven days in memory of the victims of the Sunday attack in Owo, Ondo State.On Sunday, during church service, gunmen laid siege to the St. Francis Catholic church.
Four of the assailants, according to police, fired directly into the church, most likely targeting the congregation.
Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) are at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo’s emergency wards, according to Sadiya Umar Farouq, the minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management, and social development in a statement.
She said that 11 children and 22 adults have been admitted to the medical centre.
Unofficial reports said about 50 people died in the attack.
State in mourning
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu directed that all public buildings, facilities, and official residences comply from today, Monday, June 6, to Sunday, June 12.
He said the attack on worshippers at St Francis Catholic Church was deliberate and calculated, saying the state would not be deterred from taking appropriate action.
Residents have continued to donote blood for those that sustained injuries.
Schools, shops, and other commercial establishments were closed in the town.
Strengthening security apparatus
Many people have continued to condemn the attack and have called for the security apparatus to be strengthened.
President Muhammadu Buhari in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, on Sunday evening said, “The perpetrators of the heinous act will face eternal sorrow”.
On Monday, presidential aspirants Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Otumba Bola Tinubu, and Governor Kayode Fayemi paid a visit to Owo.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo conveyed President Buhari’s message of assurance that the administration remained committed to addressing the country’s security challenges.
The Vice President, who was present at the scene of the attack, stated that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
Tinubu, who spokeat the palace of Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, the Olowo of Owo, also promised to assist the state government with the victims’ medical bills.
The chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi, and former Ogun state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who were also present at the St Louis Catholic Hospital in Owo and the Palace of Olowo, expressed their condolences to the people.
The Olowo of Owo stated that the attack was on Nigeria as a whole, not just Ondo State, and asked the federal government to review the country’s security architecture.
In a statement released on Monday, the Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas and the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, also condemned the killing.
He described the “unprovoked attack” as barbaric and traumatising, leaving the town devastated.
He said traditional rulers would continue to support the government in ridding the state of criminals.
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has expressed shock and sadness over the massacre of some worshippers at the St. Francis Catholic Church Owo, Ondo State describing it as barbaric and sacrilege of the worst order.
According to the party, To kill dozens of worshippers and several others wounded inside a Church service is the height of insanity and wickedness.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary of NNPP, DR Agbo Major called on security agents to quickly arrest the terrorists and their sponsors to face the full weight of the law.
Reporting by Isename Modupe, Isaac Afolabi in Owo and Victorson Agbenson; editing by Daniel Adejo and Saadatu Albashir