Church attack: NGF commiserates with victims, donates N50m to church

The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has commiserated with Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the state, and the Ondo Catholic Diocese over the Sunday terror attack at St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, Owo.

The NGF Chairman and Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who visited Akeredolu at the Government House in Akure, the Ondo State capital on Monday, described the attack as least expected.

Fayemi, who was accompanied by the former governor of Ogun State, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, said: “It is a serious and unusual attack on the people who can’t go out and farm or worship God in peace. We are all shocked.

“Just like the governor said, these people shall not go unpunished. They will be hunted down and brought to book. But this cannot save the lives that have been lost or save the wounded from discomfort.

“As leaders of the people, we will redouble our efforts. This is happening across the county and we are concerned. We know how troubled you will be. And we know that this is something that troubles our minds.

“For now, the government at the state and federal levels are working to bring the perpetrators to book. My colleagues in the governors forum have asked me to donate N50 million to the Catholic Church to ameliorate the condition of the families of the victims. This is a crime against humanity,” Governor Fayemi was quoted as saying in a statement issued and made available to The Star on Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State, Richard Olatunde.

Fayemi further commiserated with the people of Owo and the Olowo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye, over the tragic incident.

“Our people are traumatized. The entire governors asked me to deliver their condolences to you and the entire Owo. We are all still in shock.

“This is not an attack on Owo or Ondo state. It is not attack on all of us. We must restore our pride. So that our people can feel safe again. We need to restore our country to sanity, to safety,” the NGF Chairman said.

While receiving the visitors at his residence, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Bishop Jude Arogundade, described the attack as evil.

Arogundade urged the governors to ensure that those behind the killing and their sponsors are brought to book.

He said: “I appreciate your coming and comment. How did we get here? Have we lost our mind and humanity? Even in war situation, nobody kills children and women. Nobody attacks the church.

“I am calling on you the leaders of the country, I think we need to talk and we need to be frank with each ourselves. This cannot happen without the backing of some powerful people. Those behind this no matter how powerful they are, must be brought to book.

“How are we presenting ourselves as primitive. Ondo state doesn’t deserve this. Humanity doesn’t deserve this. This doesn’t present us well. People are laughing at us,” Bishop Arogundade stated.

On his part, the Olowo of Owo, who also received the governors at his palace, said the Federal Government needs to be proactive.

“Our forest here in Owo, in Yoruba land have been invaded. Our farmers can’t go to farms again. Those in our forest illegally must be flushed out,” Oba Ogunoye said.

Governor Akeredolu later led the visitors to the St Louis hospital in Owo, where some of the survivors are receiving medical attention.

The Star

Segun Ojo