Victims of the deadly attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, South West Nigeria, have been buried.
Some gunmen suspected to be terrorists on June 5 attacked the church leaving about 40 worshippers, including children, dead.
The church was about ending the day’s service when the gunmen stormed the premises shooting sporadically and releasing explosives.
The Nigerian government had on June 9 identified the Islamic State, West African Province (ISWAP) for being responsible for the attack on the church.
Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, told journalists after the meeting of the National Security Council presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja that security agencies were already on the trail of attackers.
The victims, numbering 22, were buried on June 17 in the Emure community of the ancient town amid tears by family members and friends.
They were buried after a funeral liturgy for the dead, whose remains had been deposited in the mortuary of the St. Catholic Hospital, Owo.
Families of the dead took their corpses to be buried in the town after the funeral mass.
Speaking at the burial ceremony, Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, government failed in its duty to protect the lives of the victims, adding that the attackers had backers.
Stating that he lacked words to describe the incident, the governor said evil would not prevail over the state.
“We have failed to defend these people. Not because we have not tried, but because these forces on the other side are evil and they have supports. They will not triumph over us forever.
“When I see the sea of heads here it speaks volumes. What has happened to us in Owo, in Ondo State is indescribable. A lot of words are used to qualify it – dastardly, horrendous – but I still believe there are words to use to describe it but I’m still short of those words.
“We have just 22 (deceased) in this hall. A few of them have been buried because the relatives couldn’t wait till today. But as at the last count, these animals came to the church and murdered 40 people,” Akeredolu, who is an indigene of the town, said.
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Jude Arogundade, expressed bitterness over the attack, adding that the attack underscored the need for state police.
“Why do the people of this country need to beg for state police, despite the endless attacks and killings?” he queried.
Arogundade thanked Akeredolu for designating a memorial park in honour of the victims, adding that the killers had blood on their hands.
The Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, asked Christians in the country to remain strong in the face growing attacks.
He said, “We remain hopeful about the future of our country which is in the hands of God.
“Where we are now is not Nigeria; we don’t recognise our country any longer but again we have nowhere to turn to except to look up to God. We are prayerfully hoping on the power of God more than any person can talk about. We call on our people to remain strong.”
