Ondo Catholic Church Reopens 10 Months After Terror Attack

Ten months after a terror attack on St. Francis Catholic Church located in Owo, Ondo State, South West Nigeria, the Church on Sunday, April 9, reopened for religious activities.

On June 5, 2022, the gunmen suspected to be members of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) stormed the Catholic church on a Sunday morning, opened fire on the congregation, and also detonated explosives while the Christian worshippers scampered for safety. About 40 persons were killed in the attack.

Worshippers however came out in their large numbers to worship in the church for the first time in the last ten months.

Jude Arogundade, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese Ondo had earlier in the week hinted that the church will reopen on Sunday for the celebration of Easter, a Christian festival marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Owo massacre last year jolted Nigeria and the global community, attracting public outcry and condemnation from local and international organisations.

Last month, Governor of the state, Akeredolu announced the construction of a ‘Memorial Park’ to honour victims of the massacre.

He explained that the park was being built as a mark of respect that would also allow the state to always commemorate the soul of the departed worshippers, adding that his administration was determined not to forget those who were massacred by the gunmen.

In August last year, the Nigerian military hierarchy announced the arrest of four terrorists believed to be masterminds of the Owo massacre.

Lucky Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff, who announced the arrest, noted that the terrorists were captured at different locations across the country.

He listed their names as; Idris Ojo (37), Jimoh Ibrahim (39), Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, and Momoh Abubakar.

Others arrested in connection with the attack included; Aliyu Itopa and Auwal Onimisi.

The Chief of Defence Staff said some of the suspects are also high-profile Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) members that escaped from Kuje Prison.