50 feared killed in attack
The Canadian Press – June 5, 2022 / 9:00 am | History: 370983
Photo: BBC News
Gunmen opened fire on the faithful on Sunday and detonated explosives at a Catholic church in southwestern Nigeria, leaving dozens dead, state lawmakers said.
Lawmaker Ogunmolasuyi Oluwole said the attackers attacked St. Francis Catholic Church in Ondo State just as the faithful were meeting on the Sunday of Pentecost. Among the dead were many children, he said. Adelegbe Timileyin, who represents the Owo area in Nigeria’s lower house of parliament, said the presiding priest had also been abducted.
“Our hearts are heavy,” Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu tweeted on Sunday. “Our peace and tranquility have been attacked by the enemies of the people.”
Authorities did not immediately release an official death toll. Timileyin said at least 50 people had been killed, though others raised the figure. Videos that appeared to be from the scene of the attack showed church worshipers lying in puddles of blood as people around them wept.
It was not immediately known who was behind the attack on the church. Although much of Nigeria has struggled with security issues, Ondo is widely known as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria. The state, however, has been caught up in a growing violent conflict between farmers and ranchers.
Nigerian security forces did not immediately respond to questions about how the attack took place or whether there are any clues about suspects. Owo is about 345 kilometers east of Lagos.
“In Owo’s history, we have never experienced such an ugly incident,” legislator Oluwole said. “That’s too much.”