- APC’s silence on the terrorist attack confirms its complicity – PDP
- Osinbajo, NGF, Lawan, Sanwo-Olu condemn attack
- Killings callous and shocking – Lawan
- Minority reps deplore incident, ask Buhari to apprehend killers
- Atiku, Obi, Tinubu, demand that perpetrators be brought to Justice
- Perpetrators must face Justice – Amnesty International
The Arole Oduduwa and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has said it is high time that all those elected into executive office begin to live up to their oaths of securing Nigerians and ensuring the safety of citizens.
In a statement on Monday, regarding the barbaric attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa, in Owo, Ondo State, the foremost Yoruba traditional ruler described the incident as a gruesome massacre dastardly targeted at turning Yorubaland to a war zone.
He said: “The six governors across the South West region and their brothers nationwide as well as the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, must live up to their oaths of securing Nigerians and ensuring safety for the citizenry.”
Noting that the Yoruba people have the capacity to defend themselves even though they are peace loving, he urged the nation’s political leaders to play their role appropriately to forestall a degeneration into violence.
Oba Ogunwusi decried the vulnerability of Nigerians especially the poor who he said are often victims of violent attacks.
He warned that there have been reports suggesting that some criminals are currently working to invade and wreck havoc in Yorubaland like the one that just happened in Owo, noting that these “bloodsucking enemies of God” have vowed to destabilise the Southwest region.
He was of the opinion that when calamities like that which befell Owo, happen without a single trace, then, the interpretation is that the intelligence unit of the country’s security architecture is probably faulty or completely missing.
The royal father urged the leaders to wake up to their responsibilities, with a major emphasis on the security of Nigerian lives and properties.
Ooni Ogunwusi commiserated with the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, the entire Owo kingdom, the government and people of Ondo State, as well as the priest and parishioners of St. Francis Catholic Church.
Osinbajo, NGF, Lawan, Sanwo-Olu condemn attack
Meanwhile, reactions have continued to trail the attack with the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Senate President Ahmed Lawan, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos condemning the incident.
In their separate reactions to the attack, they called on security agencies to ramp up efforts to apprehend the masterminds.
APC’s Silence on the terrorist attack confirms its complicity – PDP
In its reaction, Nigeria’s foremost opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),asserted that the alleged silence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday’s gruesome terrorist attack and killing of innocent worshipers confirms APC’s alleged complicity and implicit support for terrorism in our country.
The PDP through its spokesman, Hon. Debo Ologunagba also stated on Monday that it is appalled by the lame and disconnected press statement by the Buhari Presidency which did not demonstrate any presidential empathy, concern, assurances and commitment expected of a Commander-in-Chief, who should be a Comforter-in-Chief in the face of such horrific terrorist attack on the country.
According to the PDP, the feeble and insensitive statement by the presidency is a further confirmation of the tacit sympathy for terrorism by the APC administration.
“This is because in saner climes the President would personally address the nation on the gruesome murder of many citizens under his care. President Muhammadu Buhari’s personal silence is deafening and points to allegations in the public space that terrorists are enjoying tacit accommodation from the highest level of the APC administration.
“It is indeed unpardonable that as terrorists were murdering our citizens in Owo, President Buhari was busy in the comfort, luxury and safety of the Presidential Villa, having dinner with APC leaders and conducting political meetings aimed at perpetuating APC’s fraudulent, insensitive, inhumane and vicious government on hapless Nigerians.
“Such actions by the APC and President Buhari, who has woefully failed in his promise to lead the fight against terrorism from the front, continue to embolden terrorists to carry out more terrible attacks on our citizens.
“The inexcusable stance of the APC also lends credence to the fears already expressed by Nigerians that there is planned orchestration of crisis by the APC in various parts of the country so as to derail the scheduled 2023 general elections.
“Nigerians will recall that the APC has never forcefully condemned terrorist attacks in Nigeria since the revelation that the APC imported outlaws from neighbouring countries to assist it to rig the 2019 general elections.
“For the umpteenth time, our Party calls out the APC to come clean on the pact it has with terrorists for which it is sacrificing the lives of innocent Nigerians.
“The APC must not continue to use Nigerians as expendables in their ignoble pact with terrorists. Such is reprehensible, atrocious and must not be allowed to continue in our country,” Hon Ologunagba reeled out in his statement.
The PDP through its spokesman further called on Nigerians not to despair but remain united and on alert, adding that the party is taking firm steps ahead of the 2023 general elections in the mission to “Rescue and Rebuild” the nation from the misrule of the APC.
According to the opposition party, hope is indeed on the way as the nation counts down to 2023.
Osinbajo in his reaction, expressed sadness over the attack and sent condolences to the families of the victims.
He said in a tweet on Sunday.: “I am saddened by the senseless massacre of innocent people in Owo. My deepest condolences go to the families whose hearts are broken and are grasping for answers.”
“We are united in grief and a resolve to defeat the cowards who unleash terror on defenseless people.”
For the NGF, the attack is “a gory, ugly, and gruesome act by extremely wicked and warped minds meted out to innocent victims on a holy day. However, in the spirit of all our faiths, we pray for them. May God forgive and grant them mercy.
“As Governors, on our oath, we solemnly pledge to work with Mr President, all citizens and residents of our dear Country, Nigeria to assure you of a fully secure environment.
“Our goal is to halt brutalities, address unresolved criminal acts and ensure all killers are ultimately brought to face the consequences of their actions.”
The group sent “its deepest sympathies to the Owo community, the government and people of Ondo State and the country in general following the attack.”
‘Wake Up Call’
As far as Senate President Lawan is concerned, the incident, which he says is a massacre” is callous and shocking.
In a statement by his media aide Ola Awoniyi, Lawan was quoted as calling for a prompt investigation of the attack.
Senate President condemns the massacre of worshippers in Ondo church
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has condemned the heinous killings of worshippers by terrorists on Sunday at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
“My heart goes out to the families of the victims, the Government and entire people of Ondo State.
“This incident should be painstakingly investigated to unravel the criminals behind it with a view to quickly bringing them to justice.
“It is another wake-up call on all security agencies to up their game with a view to averting the occurrence of such incidents in future,” Lawan said.
He also sympathised with the people and government of Ondo State and the families of the victim as he prayed for the repose of the souls of those killed and wishes the injured speedy recovery.
‘Crime Against Humanity’
Sanwo-Olu’s reaction was not different. The Lagos Governor in a series of tweets on his handle on Sunday night, commiserated with his Ondo country, the people of Owo, and the families of the victims.
“On behalf of the Government and People of Lagos State, I commiserate with Gov. @RotimiAkeredolu the people of Owo, the Priest and parishioners of St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, families of all the victims, and the entire people of Ondo State over the tragic killings today.
“Attacking a congregation and shedding innocent blood, not only in the temple of God but anywhere is a condemnable act.
“It is a crime against humanity. It is barbaric, callous and despicable for any man to attack and kill worshipers in a manner the gunmen carried out the heinous crime in the church this morning.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, families, the people of Owo as well as the entire people of Ondo State, who are affected by this unfortunate incident. May all the souls of the faithful departed, Rest In Peace. Amen.!
Atiku, Obi, Tinubu, demand that perpetrators be brought to Justice
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who is also People Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, a presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ahmed Tinubu and ex-Anambra State Governor Peter Obi expressed sadness over the attack and called on security agencies to get to the bottom of the matter.
They said this in separate statements issued on Sunday, hours after the incident at St Francis Catholic Church in Owo left scores dead and several others injured.
In a tweet on his official handle, Atiku also sent his condolences to the families of the victims, the government and people of Owo as well as the Catholic church in Nigeria over the attack.
He wrote: “I condemn the attack on the St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, in Owo council area of Ondo State capital. My prayers are with the people of Owo, especially families of the deceased.
“I do hope that the state government and relevant security agencies will leave no stone unturned in apprehending the criminals and bringing them to justice. I condole with the body of Catholic faithful in Nigeria.
“I pray that someday, very soon, we shall have a lasting solution to these painful episodes.”
Similarly, Tinubu described the attack as “reprehensible” according to a statement released by his media office.
“Today’s attack on worshipers at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State is reprehensible in every sense of the word. There is no place for such hatred and wanton taking of innocent lives in our nation,” the former Lagos State Governor said.
“No one can discern the darkness in the mind of those that would kill people who were merely engaged in the harmless practice of their faith. The only thing that can be said for sure is that these perpetrators are evil and that they should be subjected to the full measure of the law and justice.”
He also extended his condolences to the victims’ families and the government of Ondo State.
“I ask all Nigerians to stand and commiserate with Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), the families of the victims of the attack, and indeed the people of Owo and Ondo State. I too mourn and extend condolences with the pastors and leaders of St. Francis Catholic Church,” the statement added.
For Obi, the incident is a pointer that Nigerians must work together to save the country.
“What happened in Owo today again adds to my position that our country is fast becoming a failed state. All must now join hands in saving our country from this existential situation we find ourselves in today,” he tweeted on Sunday.
“I sympathise with the victims’ families, the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, the people, and the Government of Ondo State. I urge the Federal Government and Ondo State Government to do whatever is possible to ensure that perpetrators of the dastardly act are brought to book.”
Perpetrators Of Ondo Church Attack Must Face Justice – Amnesty International
Perpetrators of the Ondo church attack must face justice, Amnesty International said on Monday.
Gunmen had stormed the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State killing scores of people and injuring many others.
The situation has thrown the whole Ondo state into mourning with President Muhammadu Buhari, and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, among others condemning the attack.
While reacting to the attack in a statement issued on Monday, Media Manager of Amnesty International, Isa Sanusi, called on the authorities to unravel the killers of the worshipers.
“What happened in Owo reveals the impunity enjoyed by gunmen on the rampage across Nigeria. This tragic event should offer a wake-up call for the authorities, who must now do everything they can to ensure the perpetrators of this appalling crime face justice,” the statement read.
“This brutal attack shows a complete disregard for the right to life. Under international human rights law, the Nigerian authorities have a duty to protect the right to life of its people in all circumstances.
“Victims and their families have a right to know the truth about this shooting and to be provided with justice and reparations. Amnesty International is calling on the Nigerian judicial authorities to immediately launch a thorough and impartial investigation to identify the perpetrators of this crime, and to prosecute and judge them in fair trials, without recourse to the death penalty.”
Akeredolu vows hunt down of killers
While expressing sadness over Sunday’s attack, Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, vowed to hunt down the masterminds of the assault.
Akeredolu in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, said the attack was a personal loss.
“It is a black Sunday in Owo. Our hearts are heavy. Our peace and tranquility have been attacked by the enemies of the people. This is a personal loss, an attack on our dear state,” Governor Akeredolu said.
“I have spoken to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Most Reverend Jude Arogundade, who is presently on his way to Owo. Similarly, I have had to cut short my party’s national assignment in Abuja and visit Owo immediately.”
Minority Reps Condemn Owo Terrorist Attack, Task Buhari To Apprehend Killers
The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has condemned in strong terms, the gruesome killing of over 50 innocent Nigerians worshipers by suspected terrorists during the attack.
In a communique signed by the Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu, the Caucus said it is deeply pained that innocent Nigerians have continued to be massacred by terrorists because of the incompetence and manifest lack of capacity by the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration to confront terrorism and secure the nation.
“This attack is yet another sad commentary on the abysmal failure of the Buhari-led APC administration to decisively confront terrorists in their apparently organized attacks on our nation; a situation that has emboldened these outlaws to continue to ravage our nation and murder our citizens with reckless abandon,” the statement briefly read.
The Minority Caucus urged President Muhammadu Buhari to end “his administration’s lethargic” approach to security, review its strategies and adopt more proactive measures to tackle terrorism and curb the worsening insecurity in Nigeria.
“President Buhari must also take firm steps to secure the release of Nigerians languishing in abductor’s dens, including kidnapped students of various institutions and victims of the Abuja-Kaduna train terrorist attack,” the Caucus further advised.
The Minority Caucus emphasized that it stands with the government and people of Ondo State at this moment of grief, even as the faction commiserated with the families of the victims of the attack and called on the security forces to ensure that the perpetrators do not get away with this gruesome crime against citizens.
