Ondo Massacre: Gov. Akeredolu directs flying of flags at half-mast
Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has directed all public buildings, facilities, and official residences in the state to fly the Nigerian flag at half-mast for seven days to honour victims of the Owo terror attack.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, Akeredolu condemned the attack on worshippers at St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, Owo, by gunmen on Sunday.
While restating his government’s resolve to make the killers pay for the massacre, he said: “Those who unleashed this unprovoked terror attack on our people have tested our collective resolves. We will not be deterred from responding appropriately to this dastardly act.
“In honour of the victims of this unfortunate attack, I hereby direct that all flags be flown at half-mast for seven days, starting from today, Monday, June 6, to Sunday, June 12, 2022. It is a collective loss to the people of our dear state,” Akeredolu said.
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It could be recalled that Owo, Akeredolu’s hometown was thrown into mourning on Sunday as the gunmen killed many worshippers and left several others injured.
An eyewitness, Ogueze Victor, who told Channels Television that the assailants were throwing “bombs and shooting” at the same time said about 25 persons were taken to the hospital while about 100 people are feared dead.
According to him, when the gunmen stormed the church, they shot many people in the leg, and others at different parts of the body.
The Ondo Police Command, Funmilayo Odulami, who confirmed the development said further details would be given later. He said all security apparatus has been put in place to restore calmness to the area.
Several videos on social media showed victims being killed and lying on the church floor in the pool of their own blood.
The governor who was in Abuja ahead of the presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), hurriedly returned home to visit the attack scene, the injured, and condone with the bereaved, as well as receive briefs from security chiefs in the state.
Meanwhile, the former governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, has urged the state government to mobilise health resources and movable health facilities to Owo to provide prompt and adequate treatment to persons injured in the attack.
He also advised the state government to seek help from neighbouring states to give the injured good medical attention.
In a statement, Mimiko commiserated with the people of the state, especially residents of Owo town, the Olowo of Owo, and the victims’ families.
He also called on the people of the state to be alert to nip any illegality and repeat attacks in the bud.
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