St. Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa, Owo in Ondo State on Sunday reopened for service ten months after the deadly attack on the church by gunmen.
BRANDPOWER reports that over 40 worshippers died in the June 5, 2022 attack by gunmen.
Worshippers who defied fears to attend Easter Sunday service, expressed pleasure for the reopening of the church.
Addressing the congregants, Bishop Jude Arogundade, the Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, lamented the growing level of insecurity in the country.
Arogundade appealed to the government to ensure that the attackers were brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others.
The bishop prayed for the congregants, especially the injured and those that lost their relatives, promising that the church would not abandon them.
Some worshippers who were unable to control their emotions were seen weeping, while recalling the ugly incident.
Arogundade appreciated the Aids to the Church in Need, Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu and other donors for extending their help to the church.
He asked the church members to keep praying for those still suffering and in trauma as a result of the attack, stating that the church would continue to comfort those in pain.
He, however, solicited more assistance from the Federal Government and the well-to-do in society for the victims and the church.
“We are still waiting for the Federal Government. These are your citizens; let them know they belong to you. I have criticised you enough but if you do well, I will praise you.
“Some who have psychological issues are still many; but we believe that with our support and prayers they will return,” he said.
Speaking on the reopening of the church, Mrs Jumoke Oyekorode, who lost her mother in the attack, said that the vacuum left by her mother was yet to be filled.
Oyekorode added that it was a good thing for her mother to have died in the church, and thanked God for the reopening of the church.
Also, Mrs Margaret Ata, a survivor of the attack said that she was happy to be back in the church, though as an amputee.
Ata, who lost her an eye and two legs as a result of injuries sustained in the attack, stated that two of her children were on scholarship.
Following the 5 June attack, Pope Francis sent a telegram conveying his sorrow and spiritual closeness to the people of Owo at the “act of unspeakable violence.”
The Holy Father also commended the souls of the dead to the loving mercy of God and implored divine healing and consolation upon the injured and those who were grieving.
The Owo attack also drew swift condemnation from several quarters, including civil and religious groups, who called on the government to do more to ensure the protection of the lives and properties of its citizens, especially in the face of the increasing daring attacks by bandits.
BRANDPOWER reports that the Nigerian military announced that some persons suspected to be behind the Pentecost Sunday deadly attack on a Catholic Church in Ondo State, Nigeria, were arrested several days after the attack.
On 5 June, gunmen had stormed St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, killing no fewer than 40 worshippers and injuring at least 80 other persons.
Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, made an initial announcement of the arrest of four suspects during a meeting with the media.
Two days later, the Military High Command disclosed that two additional suspects linked to the Owo attack had been detained.
General Irabor said that the initial arrests were made on 1 August in a joint military/DSS (Directorate of State Service) operation in Eika, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi state.
He explained that the authorities would have wanted to present the suspects to the public immediately “but we could not do so because some investigations are still ongoing.”
One of the arrested suspects is a high-ranking member of ISWAP – the so-called Islamic State in West Africa Province, General Irabor said, adding that the suspect was “planning more deadly attacks and had perfected those plans with his accomplices before he was captured.”
The Chief of Defense staff however gave his assurance that “in due course, the world will see them and others who are behind other daring attacks in the country.”
The 9 August arrest of the two other suspects was disclosed in a statement issued by the Nigerian Defense Ministry Press Office Chief Maj. Gen. Jimmy Akpor, who confirmed that they were arrested in Omialafara, Ose Local Government Area, Ondo State.
Meanwhile, Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Akeredolu, reported that another person who housed the suspects before the attack was also arrested.
Nigerians are however still awaiting justice to be served on the suspects.
