Buhari Describes Killing of Ondo Church Worshippers as Heinous

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the gruesome murder of some worshippers of the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State on Sunday by some terrorists.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the President described the act as “heinous”, charging security officials to go after the perpetrators so as to “bring succour to the wounded.”

According to him, “only fiends from the nether region could have conceived and carried out such dastardly act.” He added that “eternal sorrow awaits them both on earth here, and ultimately in the hereafter.”

“No matter what, this country shall never give in to evil and wicked people, and darkness will never overcome the light. Nigeria will eventually win,” he said.

On Sunday, some Ondo church worshippers were attacked by gunmen, leaving several of them dead and scores injured.

The Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, while reacting to the incident via a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Richard Olatunde, described the attack as “unprovoked, vile and satanic”, which is “calculated” to destabilise the “peace-loving people of Owo Kingdom.”

“I have spoken to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Most Reverend Jude Arogundade, who is presently on his way to Owo. Similarly, I have had to cut short my party’s national assignment in Abuja and visit Owo immediately.

“This is an unexpected development. I am shocked to say the least. Nevertheless, We shall commit every available resource to hunt down these assailants and make them pay. We shall never bow to the machinations of heartless elements in our resolves to rid our state of criminals.

“I commiserate with my people in Owo, particularly families of the those who lost their lives to this ugly and unfortunate attack. I extend my condolences to Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye as well as the Catholic Church.

“I urge our people to remain calm and vigilant. Do not take laws into your hands. I have spoken to the heads of the security agencies. I have equally been assured that security operatives would be deployed to monitor and restore normalcy to Owo kingdom,” Mr Akeredolu, who left Abuja to Owo, his hometown, to mourn the victims, stated.