Tension has enveloped the town of Owo in Ondo State following an attack on St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, early hours of Sunday by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.
An eyewitness said the gunmen invaded the Church when Sunday Mass was ongoing, open fire on worshippers and killed at least 28 worshippers, before detonating explosives already planted in the church (Updated).
The attackers were identified by locals as being members of the ethnic Fulani stock, and a lawmaker said the tragic incident was orchestrated to send a message to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
“Fulani herdsmen entered our community and started shooting, they killed about 28 people and dozens were severely injured,” Olayemi Adeyemi, a member of Ondo House of Assembly representing the constituency, told Peoples Gazette.
Below videos from the scene contains gory details of the attack. (GRAPHICS CONTENTS, VIEWERS DESCRIPTION ADVISED)
https://twitter.com/HotJozsef/status/1533416409056874496?t=4MkJl3dGvVA7wFROVTKuiQ&s=19
https://twitter.com/Izuchuk97039103/status/1533436597022208000?t=xKlRT4PSXzXPVbTjnjE-SA&s=19
Meanwhile, AbaCityBlog learnt that the church is near the palace of the traditional ruler of Owo and emergency officials were swiftly mobilised to the area.
Also, police and other security forces have arrived at the scene and intensified security around the church and the community.
Call For Blood Donors
There has been an urgent call for people to go to the Federal Medical Centre Owo, Ondo State and donates their blood to save lives of those that survive the attack. All blood groups are needed!
Pls help save the victims on emergency admission. 🙏🏾
