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Tag: Catholic Church

  • Owo massacre: Akeredolu weeps profusely at funeral, says we’ve failed our people

    …you didn’t fail – Bishop replies Ondo Gov 

    Tears flowed freely on Friday at the funeral mass for the victims of the June 5th terror attack at the Saint Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa, Owo.

    Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and his wife, Chief Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu attended the funeral mass held at the Mydas Resort and Hotel, Owo.

    Governor Akeredolu, who wept profusely during his speech said the government failed to protect the victims of the terror attack.

    But in a swift response, the Bishop of Ondo Catholic Diocese, Dr. Jude Arogundade declared that Governor Akeredolu has not failed in protecting his people.

    Bishop Arogundade said: “You didn’t fail. You are a strong soldier. Your determination to protect those who voted you into power is unquestionable. This was done by cowards. You have tried your best”.

    Governor Akeredolu stressed that the forces on the other side are evil, assuring that they will not triumph forever.

    “We have failed to defend these people. Not because we have not tried. But because these forces on the other side are evil and they have support. They will not triumph over us forever,” he said.

    The Governor noted that something must be done in the country, adding that the Security architecture of the nation needs rejigging.

    “When I see the sea of heads that are here it speaks volumes. What has happened to us in Owo in Ondo state is indescribable. A lot of words are used to qualify it. Dastardly, horrendous. But I still believe there are words to use to describe it but I still short of those words.

    “We have just 22 (deceased) in this hall. A few of them have been buried. Because the relatives couldn’t wait till today. But as at the last count, these animals came to the church and murdered 40 people.” Governor Akeredolu said.

    Bishop Arogundade wondered why the people of the country need to beg for state police, despite the endless attack and killings.

    He thanked the Governor for accepting to designate a memorial park in honour of the victims, stressing that those who created the situation that made the incident happened has bloods on their hands.

    Meanwhile, the expansive hall of the Mydas Resort and Hotel was filled to the brim as families of the victims, people of Owo, and other sympathizers thronged the venue of the funeral mass.

    Members of the State House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. David Bamidele Oleyelogun also attended the service.

    Also, Members of the state executive council, led by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, were present at the  funeral mass.

    Other dignitaries at the funeral mass included: Former Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Engr. Ade Adetimehin; and Chieftain of the APC , Chief Olusola Oke,SAN,

    The local government chairmen were also led by the chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALCON) Ondo State chapter, Hon. Augustine Oloruntogbe.

  • Owo massacre: Tears as Catholic church lays attack victims to rest

    Amidst tears and wailing, the Catholic Diocese of Ondo on Friday held a funeral service for victims of the June 5 attack at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

    The attack by gunmen during mass, claimed no fewer than 40 lives of worshippers while over 74 worshippers are still receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre and St. Louis Hospital, both in Owo.

    The service, held at the Mydas Event and Resort, Owo, was attended by Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu, his wife, Betty, immediate past Governor of the state, Dr Segun Mimiko and prominent indigenes of the state.

    Speaking at the service, Bishop Ayo Badejo of Oyo Catholic Diocese condemned the attack and killing of the innocent worshippers.

    Badejo, while appreciating those who had brought succour to the victims of the attack, described the incident as “sheer brutality and crudeness without any justification.”

    While saying that the attack was a total desecration on body of Christ and humanity, the cleric recounted that lives of children between the age of two and three were lost in the incident.

    According to him, “the church is battered but not down.”

    He explained that none of the injured did anything wrong before their sudden death, saying “though they are dead, we have solace that they are in the hands of Jesus Christ.”

    Badejo, who read Psalm 22: verse 1-3 and Psalm 42, verse 8-10, said tragedy and sorrow could only prevail if succumbed to it.

    He appealed to Christian faithful “to refuse to be crushed”, noting that “every Christian who died in Christ Jesus has hope in resurrection.”

    He called on the Federal Government and other stakeholders to address, in earnest, “the prevalent brutality and senseless killings across the country.”

    He enjoined the country’s leaders to shun discrimination and listen to cries of the people, noting that the Owo attack might not be the last.

    Badejo said that if the ugly situation is allowed to continue, people might resort to self-defence.

    The bishop also appealed to bandits to have a change of heart, repent and embrace good life in order to build a country of peace and prosterity.

    Speaking during the service, Akeredolu reiterated his administration’s commitment to safety of lives and property of residents.

    The Governor, while condemning the attack, called for the immediate rejig of the country’s security architecture.

    The governor announced that the mass burial planned for the victims has been cancelled because some of the victims had been buried, as their families could not wait for the funeral.

    He said that some victims would be buried today, Friday, while some would be returned to the morgue.

  • See names, photos of Owo church attack victims

    As some of the victims of the St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State terror attack were buried on Friday, here are their names and some of their photos.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports 21 coffins were brought to the church for the funeral service.

    See photos and names of victims attached below:

    TNG reports the names and photos of the victims of Owo church terror attack were obtained from the programme booklet prepared for the funeral of the victims.

    Once the funeral mass was over, families of the victims took their loved ones’ remains to be buried in the town.

    Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the Governor of Ondo State, and Olusegun Mimiko, a former Governor of the state, were among the dignitaries present during the event.

    Bishop Jude Arogundade of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo and Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto were also in attendance.

    TNG reports the funeral mass took place at Mydas Resort and Hotel, Owo. The victims included women and children.

  • Catholic church reprimands Fr.Mbaka over comments on Peter Obi

    The Catholic Diocese of Enugu has reprimanded  and detached itself from the inflammatory political utterances by Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, the Director of Catholic Adoration Ministry Chaplaincy Enugu.

    Mbaka had described the Labour party presidential candidate, Peter Obi as a stingy man who doesn’t like to spend.

    He further posited that Obi will not become the president of Nigeria unless God ceases to exist.

    According to him, it was better to have an old man as president than a ‘stingy young man.’

    In his Reaction, the Bishop of Enugu, Rev Ernest Obodo, in a statement he released on Thursday, described the vituperation of Fr Mbaka against Obi as unbecoming and divisive,  he said it  breached canon 220 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law which prohibits anyone from illegitimately harming the good name of a person.

    He further stated that Mbaka’s views on the matter are entirely personal to him and do not represent the position of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu.

    ”We assure the people of God and the general public that the Catholic Diocese of Enugu is taking the due canonical process.

    “In an effort to keep him united to the Body of Christ, we enjoin him to refrain from making further provocative prophecies or utterances capable of heating up the polity. We assure the people of God and the general public that the Catholic Diocese of Enugu is taking the due canonical process.

    ”Finally, we urge all the People of God to continue to pray for peaceful elections and to discharge their civic responsibilities by getting their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) and casting their votes in order to elect the right candidates. May Our Lady, Queen of Nigeria, intercede for us,” he added.

  • Owo Massacre: Catholic church announce mass burial date

    The Catholic Diocese of Ondo has revealed that there will be a mass burial for the victims of St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo attack.

    According to him, the mass burial for the victims will be held on the 17th of June ,2022 at a new cemetery on Emure Road in Owo.

    The terror attack on the church left 40 worshippers killed with several others injured.

    On Monday, the Diocese of Ondo’s Director of Social Communication, Rev. Fr. Augustine Ikwu, confirmed the news to pressmen.

    With the number of deceased worshippers still remain at 40, the injured victims were still receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Center and the St. Louis Catholic Church both in Owo as well as in other private hospitals in the state.

    The terror attack has been linked to ISWAP, but no arrest has been made in connection to the massacre at the church.

  • Owo terror attack: Akeredolu extends mourning period in Ondo

    Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has extended the mourning period in the state to Wednesday.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Richard Olatunde,Chief Press Secretary to the Governor in Akure.

    Olatunde explained that the extension was sequel to the resolution of the Southwest Governors’ Forum to observe a 3-day mourning period, starting from Monday to Wednesday across all the Southwest states.

    “Gov. Akeredolu has also directed that all flags in the state must be flown at half-mast for the three days period.

    “Recall that the governor had directed that all flags in the state be flown at half-mast for seven days from Monday to Sunday.

    “Gov. Akeredolu appreciated the governors in the Southwest for the massive love and cooperation shown since the horrendous attack in Owo,” Olatunde said.

  • Owo terror attack was a message to South-West – Soyinka

    Nobel Laureate and renowned playwright, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has described the attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, where many worshippers were killed, as a message to the entire people of South-West.

    Soyinka made his view known on Friday while paying a condolence visit to Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu  over the terror attack last Sunday.

    He described the attack as a message and said it was targeted at the governor who has been showing leadership in terms of internal liberation of his people.

    “He (governor) was targeted and there is no question about that.

    “It was not an accident and it passed a massage to the rest of us. That is why I’m here. I want the governor to know that we have received the message.

    “We understand it and we came to sympathise with him that he was selected as a medium of that message,“  Soyinka said.

    Akeredolu thanked the Nobel laureate for the visit, saying that the state would remain hugely indebted to him.

    “It is a cause that he has dedicated his life to and I thank God for his life. The state wants to appreciate you for finding the time to come at this hour of grieve.

    “This is like a dagger drawn at our heart and it is an assault on the psyche of those of us in the South-West.

    “I believe they think they can create some fears in us but they made a mistake as the attack will make us more fierce in our condemnation of their actions,” Akeredolu noted.

  • Ondo Govt to provide land for mass burial of Owo terror attack victims

    …as Catholic Church plans memorial park

    …Gov Akeredolu gives update on death toll, casualty figures

    Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Wednesday assured that the state government will provide land in a good environment for the mass burial of the victims of the Owo terror attack.

    Governor Akeredolu gave the assurance while playing host to a team of Catholic Bishops from the South-West led by Most Reverend Leke Abegunrin. The team was on a condolence visit to the Governor at his Ijebu-Owo residence in Owo.

    This is even as the Catholic Bishop of Ondo,
    Most Reverend Jude Arogundade, said the Church will be organising a befitting burial for the lost souls.

    Governor Akeredolu noted that 127 persons were involved in the attack while 61 survivors are still on admission in different hospitals. He also disclosed that 26 persons have been discharged.

    The Governor added that the new figure followed the harmonization of the reports from the various hospitals including the private ones.

    He urged the people to discountenance the figures earlier rolled out.

    Governor Akeredolu explained that the state government has set up an account for donations following series of the calls and demand for an account number by well meaning individuals who are desirous of helping the families of the victims and the survivors.

    Arakunrin Akeredolu assured that all the donations made would be judiciously utilized for the purpose it is meant for.

    Governor Akeredolu said, “What we witnessed in Owo on that Sunday, I have been looking for a word to describe it but I’m not too sure I can find one because it is indescribable. There is no word to describe it. If you say horrific, dastardly, horrendous, all those ones are common words and we use them for many things.

    “But I have been looking for a better word to use because we have witnessed barbaric elements, animals in human’s skin. If you are humans you would not do what they have done. May be there are areas where they will do such a thing and they are not worried. But here were are worried because it is not something we are used to. Human life means a lot to us.

    “That is why one is moved. We will have a Memorial Park here where those who died in the attack will be buried. My Bishop sir, we will find a good place as a Memorial Park. It will also be my suggestion that even if there are people who have retrieved their family or members of their family, we must still have a symbolic grave there for them. And it will be there forever, it is not something we can forget and we should never forget it.

    On the update on the figures, the Governor said “the medical team led by the Commissioner for Health has sent figure to us, and it is slightly different. What I put out during my address on the broadcast to the State was wrong and we must accept it.

    “The figure I have now shows that 127 persons were involved, and that the number of death now is 40. On admission receiving treatment we have 61. 26 have been discharged. Those are the figures we have now from the commissioner for Health. So, government is not hiding anything.

    Earlier, Bishop Abegunrin, expressed his sadness over the unexpected attack, describing it as an attack on God.

    “We were saddened when watching on our small phones and later in the evening the whole episode as it was on the public television, it was really sad. The Bishop of Yoruba land in Lagos and Ibadan province are here to commiserate with you, Owo people, the people of Ondo State and with our brothers and sisters in the Catholic Church and Ondo Diocese.

    “It is very painful, it can provoke people to retaliate and do what is ungodly but we are people of faith; we leave everything to God to judge but humanly speaking, we heard what you have been doing in the state that those people who did this havoc to us will be brought to book before long and we are happy about that.

    “For sometime now since Amotekun started we know what you have been doing in Ondo State, that you are protecting the people in cities and villages. Even with threat and warnings, you shun every threat to provide security for the people and their property.

    “They attack human beings, but our own interpretation is that they attack God and the consequences are awaiting them. Whatever you have to do to bring them to book l, I pray God to assist and protect you. We thank you for your action, you are not just a Governor but filled with action. You are articulate, you are not afraid. You made your place known loudly and openly that you are not for nonsense and that you are for your people and Nigeria”, the Bishop said.

    Also, the Catholic Bishop of Ondo,
    Most Reverend Jude Arogundade, said the visit was to comfort one another and also inform the Governor about the plan to organize a befitting burial for the lost souls.

    “We are gathered here to comfort one another, it has been very difficult and painful not just because the incident happened in Owo but in Ondo Diocese. We are preparing for the funeral of the people who died at the incident

    “You have always taken the Catholic Church so highly in everything, that is the kind of person you are because you love God and respect him and you are a man of your word, you are the kind of leader we look up to in Yoruba land and Nigeria”, he said.

    Members of the state executive council led by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu joined the Governor to receive the visitors.

    Richard Olatunde
    Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
    June 8, 2022.

  • Owo church attack: We have capacity to defend ourselves – Ooni warns

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has condemned the gruesome massacre of worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa, Owo, Ondo State on Sunday, warning that Yoruba people have the capacity to defend themselves even though they are peace loving.

    This is contained in a statement by his Director of Media & Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare, on Monday, in Ile-Ife.

    Ooni Ogunwusi who warned against plans by a group, bloodsucking enemies of God who had vowed to destabilise the Southwest region, decried the vulnerability of Nigerians, especially the poor who he said are often victims of violent attacks.

    “Killing many persons and injuring more others are described as a gruesome massacre, dastardly targeted at turning Yorubland to a war zone.

    “Yoruba people have the capacity to defend themselves even though they are peace loving.

    “We should all be reminded that 6th of June made it exactly one year, when an invading gang of killer herdsmen killed at least over 20 people in Igangan, Ibarapa North local government of Oyo State, on Saturday night.

    “They left several houses, the palace of the Asigangan and a popular petroleum station burnt in the attack when people were asleep. This happened exactly a year ago!” Ooni said.

    Oba Ogunwusi, who is the co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), explained that there have been reports that some criminals are currently working to invade and to wreck havoc in Yorubaland like the one that just happened in Owo.

    “When calamities like this befall us without a single trace, the interpretation is that the intelligence unit of our country’s security architecture is probably faulty or completely missing.

    “However, we the descendants of Oduduwa cannot be overrun in our own home as we are prepared and ready to defend ourselves against external invaders.

    “Rather than discouraging us, this will rather strengthen us especially in our resolve to deploy manpower, resources and technology towards the protection of lives and properties.

    “The six governors across the south west region and their brothers nationwide as well as the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, should live up to their oaths of securing Nigerians and ensuring safety for the citizenry,” the Ooni said.

    He, however commiserated with the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, the entire Owo kingdom, Gov Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the people of Owo, the Priest and parishioners of St. Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa, Owo, families of all the victims, and the entire people of Ondo State over the tragic and senseless killings.

  • Owo church attack: IGP confirms St Francis was bombed

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Usman Baba has confirmed that St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State was bombed in the attack that happened on Sunday in which many worshippers were killed.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi quoted IGP Baba to have made the confirmation in a statement released on Monday in Abuja.

    According to the statement, Baba has ordered the deployment of specialised operatives to unravel the perpetrators of Sunday’s attack.

    He said the specialised operatives would be drawn from the Police Explosive Ordnance Devices-Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Explosives (EOD-CBRNE) and other tactical units from the Force Headquarters.

    Adejobi said the deployment is to ensure a comprehensive investigation and immediate interception of the perpetrators of the attack.

    He said the IGP had condemned the attack that led to the brutal murder of innocent Nigerians in their place of worship.

    The police spokesman said preliminary investigations had revealed that the gunmen invaded the church with arms and materials suspected to be explosives.

    According to him, police investigators who were part of the first responders deployed to the scene have recovered pellets of expended AK-47 ammunition.

    He said operatives from the EOD-CBRNE unit had confirmed the use of explosives as fragments of the IEDs used were found.

    Adejobi said three unexploded IEDs were recovered after thorough sweeping of the scene of the incident.

    The police spokesman said further investigations has revealed that some of the gunmen disguised as members of the congregation.

    He said others who positioned themselves around the church premises from different directions, fired into the church during the attack.

    According to him, the assailants fled the scene using a Nissan Sunny car, with Reg No. AKR 895 AG, which was snatched from the owner and escaped through Owo/Ute road.

    He said the vehicle has been recovered, adding that the owner of the vehicle is currently assisting the Police in their investigations.

    Adejobi said the IGP had condoled with the Ondo State Government, family members, relatives and friends of the victims who lost their lives in the attack.

    He pledged that the heartless killers of the harmless victims, particularly innocent children, would be made to face the full wrath of the law.