Owo Catholic church killings is terrorists’ attack, says Akeredolu
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, said the killing of 22 worshippers at St. Francis Catholic church, Owo on Sunday was a terrorists’ attack.
The governor told a team of World Health Organisation (WHO), led by the Country Representative and Head of Mission, Nigeria, Dr Walter Mulombo who visited him in his office in Akure on Tuesday that the attackers only came to kill and shed blood.
The team, according to a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, was in the state to commiserate with the state government over the attack.
Akeredolu described the terror attack as a bad experience, which had never happened in the South-West region.
According to him, contrary to rumors doing the rounds, no one was kidnapped during the incident, adding “the terrorists came to maim and kill.”
“Where else is safe if that sanctuary is not safe. In war situation, even soldiers could run into church for safety. These are mad people, I’m not too sure they are human beings. They have lost their own humanity and there is no way you can regard them as human beings. I think they are animals in human skin.
“Initially it was rumoured that the Parish priest was probably kidnapped but when we got there the Parish priest showed up and said nobody was kidnapped. Nobody. They did not go for the Sunday collection and nothing was taken. Clearly they were there to maim and kill,” he said.
The governor expressed the need for public and religious centers to install Close Circuit Cameras (CCTV), in strategic places to enhance security as part of measures being put in place to forestall future occurrences.
Akeredolu, while commending the WHO team for their quick response and support, further solicited for more supports in several areas including social support as the situation demanded.
He also appreciated students of the College of Health Technology, Akure, Medical and Health Officers at the Ministry of health, Mother and Child hospital, University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Churches, Community Pharmacists, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, individuals and everyone who had donated blood or contributed to the survival kit for the survivors in the hospital.
Earlier, Dr Mulombo, applauded Akeredolu for his quality leadership which prompted him to respond almost immediately to the situation despite the fact that he was outside the State when the attack happened.
He described the attack on worshippers including little children as unspeakable, saying WHO would offer relevant supports during the difficult situation.
“I have been engaged in many response emergencies and I can count on my fingers the number of time I saw a Governor like that in the field going round, making sure things are right. I’m very encouraged and impressed.
“The World Health Organisation is committed to support your state to respond to all hazard and emergencies including following up of such unfortunate incident. I have come with my colleagues and also those working in the emergency departments, some specialists who can help in dealing with the situation, and our colleagues who will give social support.
“We also came with some emergency trauma kits and some other support materials. This is just a contribution and solidarity. We will remain available for any additional support as Ondo State might require to deal with this difficult situation. We are also trying to engage our other UN agencies to come together and see how we can support Ondo to recover from this unfortunate incident,” he added.
