Sunday, June 5 2022, was a dark day in Nigerian history. The parishioners of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in the city of Owo, Ondo State, in southwest Nigeria, went to church to mark Pentecost Day, only to suffer a hail of bullets. Reports have it that four to five armed men ferried by a Volkswagen Golf car, broke into the church during mass before 11 a.m. and opened fire on all present. Not even children were spared, according to state legislator Ogunmolasuyi Oluwole. Speaking to Vanguard, Kehinde Ogunkorode, an eyewitness and church member, said the gunmen tried to abduct the officiating priest. It was later reported that it proved abortive.
While the number of the dead is yet to be officially confirmed, reports have said at least 50 bodies were taken to two hospitals: the main government hospital in Owo and St Louis Catholic Hospital.
The former Commissioner for Information and Orientation in Ondo, Donald Ojogo, said explosives (dynamite) were used by the assailants. In a Sunrise Daily interview, Ojogo chastised the police for their late arrival at the scene, citing that a police station is only two kilometers away from the site of the carnage and that the shooting went on “for more than 20 minutes”. For Ojogo, this only proves that “we need state police”.
The Owo church massacre has greatly upset the Nigerian public, with many Nigerians on social media offering condolences to the family of the victims and berating the Nigerian federal government for the continuous rise of insecurity and banditry across the country.
Who are the Assailants?
While authorities are yet to confirm the identities of the Owo church attackers, many have pointed fingers at the Fulani herdsmen, a terrorist sect that caused 847 deaths last year across five Nigerian states, according to the latest report from the Global Terrorism Index.
Olayemi Adeyemi, a lawmaker representing Owo Constituency II in the House of Assembly, is one of those who think the dreaded group is responsible for the attack. Olayemi believes the attack was likely in retaliation for the recent restrictions by the state government on grazing in Ondo, following an uptick in kidnappings in the state. In August last year, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State signed an anti-open grazing bill into law. The leader of the Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, IOOW, Professor Banji Akintoye, is also among those who think the Fulani herdsmen are behind the attack.
On Monday the Investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo, using his Twitter account, claimed that the Owo church attackers were clad in military fatigues, adding that that’s the “[modus operandi] of [North-East] terrorists”.
Reactions to the Massacre
The Owo church massacre has drawn sympathy and condemnation from many quarters, including government officials and members of the public, including celebrities. Some of those who have condemned the attack include President Mohammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu; Pope Francis; the Bishop of Ondo Catholic Diocese, Jude Arogundade; the musicians Falz, Runtown, Fireboy DML, etc.
President of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to reorganize the security agencies and “stop the recycling of terrorists in the name of de-radicalizing programme.”
The leader of the Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, IOOW, Professor Banji Akintoye, described the deadly attack as a declaration of war against the Yoruba people, and urged Governor Akeredolu to declare an emergency against the activities of Fulani herdsmen in the state with immediate effect.
Nigerian Medical Association Calls for Blood Donations
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has urged Nigerians in the affected area of Ondo State to go to hospitals where the injured were being treated to donate blood to save lives.
In a statement by its President, Dr Uche Ojinmah, the NMA condemned the attack, commiserated with the family of the deceased, and called on doctors in Ondo State to mobilise themselves to participate in the treatment of the injured.
Similar Attacks
Exactly a week ago, the head of the Methodist Church in Nigeria, Samuel Kanu, was abducted along with two other clerics in the southeast of the country. The Methodist prelate was said to have paid $240,000 to buy his freedom and that of his companions.
Two weeks ago, two Catholic priests were kidnapped in Katsina State and are yet to be released.
In March, gunmen targeted the train linking Abuja and Kaduna, killing at least 9 people and kidnapping dozens, many of whom are still in captivity.