Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has described the attack on worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, which left scores dead, as barbaric and condemnable.
The governor expressed condolences to the governor of Ondo State and chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum as well as the families of the victims.
A statement by the Special Assistant (Print Media), Moses Alao, indicated that governor, called on security agencies to bring the perpetrators of the heinous crime to book.
He said: “My deepest condolences to my brother, His Excellency Rotimi Akeredolu, the people of Owo, families of the victims and Ondo State on the dastardly attack on worshippers at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo today.
“May the souls of the victims rest in peace.
“This unprovoked and barbaric attack is condemnable in its entirety. I urge the security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are found and brought to book.”
Similarly, the 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and senator representing Oyo Central senatorial district, Senator Teslim Folarin has condemned the atrocious terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo – the hometown of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu – and the killing of scores of worshippers.
Suspected terrorists carried out the deadly attack on Sunday with many worshippers killed and several others injured following the incident at the church.
In a statement issued in Abuja and made available to journalists on Sunday evening, the three-term Senator said: “I deplore the heinous attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo – the hometown of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, which left scores of worshippers dead and several others injured. Clearly, the perpetrators of the cowardly act have no regard for the sanctity of human life.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families; and my solidarity and support to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu-led Ondo State Government, the people of Owo Kingdom and by extension, people of the Sunshine State. May God grant the affected families the fortitude to bear the huge loss.
“Terrorism has no place in Yorubaland. In fact, there is no justification for the heinous attack. To this end, I urge all the law enforcement agencies to collaboratively launch a manhunt to bring the assailants to book, in accordance with the laws of the land.
“Meanwhile, I enjoin Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements to security operatives. Terrorists are not spirits. They live in our midst. We must have zero tolerance for them. The damages they are doing to our country are unimaginable.
“Also, I charge our religious centres to rejig their security architectures with a view to forestalling attacks by men of the underworld.”
