By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
No priest from attacked St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, was kidnapped during gunmen attack on the church on Sunday morning during service.
Director, Social Communications, Rev. Fr. Augustine Ikwu, made the clarification in a statement on Sunday, but added that the church was violated by the gunmen.
He said the marauders invaded the church when Holy Mass to mark the Pentecost Sunday was ongoing, leaving several persons dead.
“It is Pentecost Sunday when every Catholic is expected to be in Church to commemorate the Solemnity.
“It is so sad to say that while the Holy Mass was going on, unknown Gunmen attacked St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
“Leaving many feared dead and many others injured and the Church violated.
“The identity of the perpetrators remains unknown while the situation has left the community devastated.
“However, for now, security agencies have been deployed to the community to relatively handle the situation,” Rev. Ikwu noted.
According to him, “at this point in the history of our dear country Nigeria, we need God’s ultimate intervention to restore peace and tranquillity.”
Contrary to the alleged kidnap of one of the priests, the church spokesman said “all the Priests and Bishop in the parish are safe and non was kidnapped as the social media has it.”
He, however, called for more prayers “for them and the good people of Owo and the state at large.
“We turn to God to console the families of those whose lives were lost to this distressing incident, and we pray for the departed souls to rest in peace. Amen.
“The Bishop appeals that we remain calm, be law abiding and pray for peace and normalcy to retum to our community, state and country.”
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