Gunmen have attacked a Catholic church in Ondo state, south-west Nigeria, eyewitnesses have said.
The armed men entered the church, St Francis Xavier, in the town of Owo, during a service on Sunday afternoon.
50 worshippers were shot dead and others were kidnapped.
A member of the St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, in Owo council area of Ondo State, Kehinde Ogunkorode has confirmed that gunmen suspected to be kidnappers attacked the church killing no fewer than 25 worshippers.
Ogunkorode added that the bandits numbering five stormed the church during service and shot members.
According to him ” lt was like a movie, they invaded the church and shot indiscriminately. Several people were killed including children and women
“It was when they wanted to abduct the priest that they threw dynamite into the church.
Another source confirmed that the attackers were Fulani herdsmen and that no fewer 50 corpses have been moved out of the church with many casualties lying at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, for medical attention.
“The congregants were caught unaware by the killers. They also used explosives but many were shot.
Commissioner of Police, Mr Oyeyemi Oyediran in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) yesterday, said the squad comprises officers of the Explosive Ordinance Device Unit of the state police command. He said efforts were being intensified to arrest those who perpetrated the devilish act.
One of the priests that officiated the Mass, Rev Father Andrew Abayomi, said the attack was well planned as members of the church were not aware of their presence till the attack was carried out.
He said the attackers struck as Mass was about to end. “We were about to round off the service. I had even asked people to start leaving, that was how we started hearing gunshots from different angles. We hid inside the church but some people had left when the attack happened. We locked ourselves in the church for 20 minutes. When we heard that they had left, we opened the church and rushed victims to the hospital,” he explained
Meanwhile, Director, Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Rev. Fr Augustine Ikwu, has dismissed reports that priests and bishops of the Church were kidnapped as untrue.
According to reports in the media, terrorists killed worshippers and kidnapped a priest.
However, in a letter circulating on twitter last night by the Director of Communications at Catholic Diocese of Ondo, all the Priests and Bishop in the parish are safe and none was kidnapped as reported.
“We turn to God to console the families of those whose lives were lost to this distressing incident, and we pray for the departed souls to rest in peace. Amen.
“The Bishop appeals that we remain calm, be law abiding and pray for peace and normalcy to return to our community, state and country.”
