On Sunday, June 5, 2021, Nigeria experienced a gory attack that claimed the lives of innocent Christian worshippers in Owo LGA (Local Government Area) of Ondo State. Following the Ondo Church attack, numerous Nigerians have expressed their deepest pains and concerns through social media, news outlets, etc.
President Mohammadu Buhari expressed his concerns in a signed statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina. The president commiserated with the relatives of the deceased, the attacked church, and the Ondo State government. He said darkness would never overcome light in the country. He further urged emergency operatives to take action and provide relief to those injured in the attack.
Also, in the spirit of sympathy, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo sent his condolences to the grieving families. He said, “We are united in grief and a resolve to defeat the cowards who unleash terror on defenseless people.”
The state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, described the attack as the most dastardly act that could happen in any society. He made the statement after visiting the attack scene and the hospital where some survivors were receiving medical care.
The Ondo PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) released a statement through its state publicity secretary, Kennedy Peretei, after the incident. The party members in the state condemned the killing, which claimed the lives of many women and children.
In Abuja on Sunday, the CAN (Christian Association of Nigeria) President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle released a statement through his media assistant, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji. Ayokunle called on security bodies to hastily arrest the attackers and let law and justice have their way with them. He also compelled the president to find a lasting solution to the numerous killings the country is experiencing.
The Christian body asked the government to properly restructure the country’s security makeup and put an end to the deradicalization of acclaimed ex-insurgents as it is causing more harm than good. In addition, the body pleaded with the FG to not completely shift its focus to the coming presidential election but also to secure the citizens’ lives.
Some of the deceased relatives took to their Twitter to share the news of their losses.
Through his Twitter handle today, Akeredolu said, “In honour of the victims of the unfortunate attack on worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, Owo, I hereby direct that all flags in Ondo State be flown at half-mast for seven days, starting from today, Monday, June 6, to Sunday, June 12, 2022.”
Others who reacted to the killing are Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Peter Obi, and some celebrities.