Dozens feared dead in attack on Catholic church in Nigeria
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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jun 5, 2022 / 09:13 am (CNA).
Gunmen have killed multiple worshipers Sunday at a Catholic Church in southwestern Nigeria, according to state officials.
Dozens of people, including children, are believed to have been killed, but there was no immediate official confirmation of the death total. A video posted on Twitter propertied to show graphic scenes of the victims inside the church.
IGANGAN PROVOCATIVE ONSLAUGHT ONE TOO MANY.
...we have directed the Commanders of the South West Security Network, Amotekun, to convoke a joint security meeting of all Commanders in the South West with a view to commencing joint operations in the region immediately. pic.twitter.com/Kgv0oy1yiL
— Arakunrin Akeredolu (@RotimiAkeredolu) June 6, 2021
The governor of Ondo state, Arakunrin Akeredolu, said the attack took place at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in the town of Owo during a Pentecost Sunday service, the BBC reported. The governor said many of the dead were children.
"I am deeply saddened by the unprovoked attack and killing of innocent people of Owo, worshiping at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Today," the governor said in a tweet. "The vile & satanic attack is a calculated assault on the peace-loving people of Owo Kingdom who have enjoyed relative peace over the years."
A state lawmaker, Ogunmolasuyi Oluwole, told the Associated Press the attackers also detonated explosives.
A doctor at a hospital in Owo told Reuters, “Several worshipers were brought in dead.”
This is a developing story.