21 KILLED IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA CHURCH ATTACK: OFFICIAL

Mon 06 June 2022:

According to a local government source, gunmen assaulted a Catholic church in southwest Nigeria with explosives yesterday, killing 21 people and injuring others.

According to AFP, dynamite exploded inside St Francis Catholic church in Owo town before gunmen opened fire through the windows during a service, according to Richard Olatunde, spokesman for the Ondo State governor’s office.

In a statement, Pope Francis said he had learnt of the “death of dozens of faithful,” many of whom were youngsters, on the Christian holiday of Pentecost.

“While the details of the incident are being clarified, Pope Francis prays for the victims and for the country,” he said.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack.

The motives and the exact death toll were not immediately clear, but President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the “heinous killing of worshippers”.

State police spokeswoman Ibukun Odunlami said the gunmen also attacked the church with explosives, leaving an unknown number of worshippers dead.

“It’s still premature to say exactly how many people were killed. But many worshippers lost their lives while others were injured in the attack.”

A spokesman for the Ondo State governor’s office said they would not be giving an official casualty figure for the moment.

But a witness, who gave his name as Abayomi, told AFP at least 20 worshippers had died in the attack.

“I was passing through the area when I heard a loud explosion and gunshots inside the church,” he said.

He said he saw at least five gunmen on the church premises before he ran for safety.

Kidnappings are routine in most parts of Nigeria, but mass gun attacks, such as the one that occurred on Sunday, are uncommon in the country’s relatively calm southwest. The incident comes only one day before the ruling APC party begins primary elections for its candidate in the 2023 race to succeed Buhari, who is stepping down after two terms in government.

Regardless of who wins the campaign to lead Africa’s most populous country and greatest economy, security will remain a major concern.

Heavily armed gangs have been raiding towns and targeting communities and schools for mass kidnapping attacks in parts of northwest and north-central Nigeria in particular.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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