The Catholic Diocese of Ondo has said no priest was abducted by gunmen who attacked a parish of its church in Owo during service on Sunday, contrary to claims.
Gunmen armed with explosive devices had invaded the church while service was going on and launched attack on the worshippers on Sunday.
However, the Ondo State Police Command has not confirmed the number of lives lost to the dastardly attack.
The Ondo Diocese of Catholic Church in a statement signed by Rev. Fr. Augustine Ikwu, Director, Social Communications confirmed that many were killed and others injured.
According to the statement, security agencies have been deployed to the community to relatively handle the situation.
Read The Full Statement :
“It is Pentecost Sunday when every Catholic is expected to be in Church to commemorate the Solemnity.
“It is so sad to say that while the Holy Mass was going on, unknown Gunmen attacked St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
“Leaving many feared dead and many others injured and the Church violated.
“The identity of the perpetrators remains unknown while the situation has left the community devastated.
“However, for now, security agencies have been deployed to the community to relatively handle the situation.
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“At this point in the history of our dear country Nigeria, we need God’s ultimate intervention to restore peace and tranquillity.
“Meanwhile, all the Priests and Bishop in the parish are safe and non was kidnapped as the social media has it.
Nonetheless, let us continue to pray for them and the good people of Owo and the state at large.
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.
