Lagos –
Armed groups attack St Francis Catholic Church in the town of Owo in Nigeria. 50 people were reported killed in the attack.
Reported from Reuters on Monday (6/6/2022), the catholic church is in southwest Nigeria. The attack was carried out during mass on Sunday (5/6). Hospital doctors and media reports put 50 people dead in the attack.
Nigerian news reports said the group armed and opened fire on worshipers, and detonated explosives at St Francis’ Cantolic Church. The identities and motives of the attackers remain unclear.
Police have not provided details about the attack. The police spokesman for the Ondo section, Funmilayo Ibukun Odunlami, said police would issue a statement soon.
The spokesman for the Catholic Church in Nigeria, Reverend Augustine Ikwu, condemned the attack.
“It is very sad that during Holy Mass, unidentified gunmen attacked St. Francis Catholic Church… leaving many people feared dead and many others injured and the Church violated,” said the spokesman for the Catholic Church in Nigeria, Reverend Augustine Ikwu.
Ikwu said the bishop and priest of the parish survived the attack unharmed.
A doctor at a hospital in Owo told Reuters that at least 50 bodies had been taken to two hospitals in the city. The doctor, who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the press, also said there was a need for blood donations to treat the injured.
President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the attack, calling it “heinous”, and the Vatican said Pope Francis was praying for the victims who had been “afflicted with suffering at this time of celebration”.
(aik / aik)
–
