By Banji Ayoola
A former envoy and senatorial aspirant in Ondo South, Ambassador Sola Iji, has condemned the killings of worshipers during a church worship on Sunday in Owo.
In a statement, which he signed, he said: “The reported unprovoked attack and killing of innocent worshipers at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, Owo on Sunday May 5, 2022 was horrible, saddening, wicked, barbaric, provocative, unwarranted and condemnable.
“This is more so when one recalls that the criminals unleashed their reign of terror on defenceless and innocent worshipers at that solemn moment when they bowed their souls in supplication and reverence to the Almighty Father and Creator of all within the sacred walls of a building that all normal human beings regard as hallowed and inviolable.
“I hereby condemn the attack and killing of the innocent and harmless worshipers by these blood thirsty savages in their entirety; and enjoin the security agencies including the Police and the Amotekun Corps, working with Local Hunters and Vigilantes, to set to work immediately and ensure that the criminals are arrested within the shortest time possible and be made to face the wrath of the Law. Also, I call on the security agencies to comb the forests of Owo to flush out the criminals.
“It is heartwarming that Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi, Akeredolu, SAN, who had to cancel a national assignment and raced to Owo the scene of the incident, and President Muhammadu Buhari have both condemned the sadistic attack and killings, while the Governor vowed that his action Government “shall commit every available resource to hunt down these assailants and make them pay” and that “we shall never bow to the machinations of heartless elements in our resolve to rid our state of criminals.”
“I believe strongly that our Governor will live to his words and take drastic actions urgently to ensure that the criminals are arrested and compelled to face prosecution as prescribed by the Law, while taking more steps to protect the lives and property of the people of Owo and environs as well as all the law abiding residents of Ondo State.
“While commiserating with the bereaved families of the victims, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye and the entire peace loving people of Owo, our Governor and the whole people of Ondo State on this sad incident, I pray that the Good Lord will comfort the bereaved families and heal their wounds.”
