Crime
Massacre in Nigeria: Attack on Catholic church leaves at least 50 dead
A group of armed men fired shots inside and outside the temple before detonating a bomb
June 6, 2022 9:59am
Updated: June 6, 2022 12:27pm
At least 50 people were killed on Sunday in Nigeria after an attack by a group of armed men in the middle of a Pentecostal mass at St. Francis Xavier church in Owo town, in the southern state of Ondo.
Five men began shooting inside and outside the temple before detonating a bomb that left several people stunned.
The identity of the suspects and the motive for the attack are still unclear and police are investigating the incident, reported France 24.
"Our hearts are saddened," tweeted Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Sunday. "Our peace and tranquility have been attacked by the enemies of the people."
It is a black Sunday in Owo. Our hearts are heavy. Our peace and tranquility have been attacked by the enemies of the people. This is a personal loss, an attack on our dear state.
— Arakunrin Akeredolu (@RotimiAkeredolu) June 5, 2022
Although it was initially believed that the suspects had succeeded in kidnapping the priest, the spokesman for the Catholic Church in Nigeria, Reverend Augustine Ikwu, denied the claim in a statement posted on Facebook.
"All the priests of the parish are safe and none have been kidnapped, as has been posted on social media," the text reads. "Let us continue to pray for them and for the good people of Owo and the state in general."
"We turn to God to comfort the families of those whose lives were lost in this distressing incident, and pray that the departed souls may rest in peace. Amen," the statement continues.
"The Bishop calls on us to remain calm, respect the law and pray for peace and normalcy to return to our community, state and country," it adds.
The Diocese of Ondo, located in the state with the same name, extends over 15,500 square kilometers and has about 175,000 Catholics out of a total population of 3.6 million inhabitants, reported Cope newspaper.
In 2020, it had 60 parishes and six missions, served by 108 priests and 69 religious men and women. Since 2010, its bishop has been Jude Ayodeji Arogundade, 60 years old.
