Tension in Ondo as bandits threaten attack on Catholic church

Tension has engulfed the atmosphere of the Owo community, headquarters of the Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, following the threat by bandits to launch another attack on Saint Francis Catholic Church three years after worshippers were massacred in the church.

With no specific time for the attack stated, the bandits had, in a letter addressed to the church, vowed to carry out a similar attack soon.

On June 5, 2022, no fewer than 41 persons were killed and 69 others injured when gunmen invaded the church and opened fire on the worshippers who attended Pentecost Sunday.

The development has created panic in the ancient community, particularly as residents were yet to fully recover from the 2022 tragic incident amid the insecure situation in some parts of the state and country.

Concerned about the development, the community led by its traditional ruler, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, convened a security summit to address the rising insecurity in the area.

According to the summit’s publicity secretary, Mr. Bosun Oladimeji, the maiden edition of the Owo Security Summit, themed “Securing Owo and its Environs: Strategies for Community Safety and Resilience”, will be held next week.

Oladimeji maintained that the summit will raise awareness about community security, foster cooperation between residents and law enforcement, reduce crime, and propose sustainable security initiatives with the key objective to establish a Security Trust Fund to support long-term efforts.

Oladimeji stated that recent incidents, including the bandits’ renewed threat and several kidnappings, have significantly affected the socio-economic life of the people, making proactive security measures imperative.

He said: Dignitaries expected at the summit include Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Olayide Adelami.

Justice Adesuyi Olateru-Olagbegi will chair the event, with Tope Omolayo, Owo LG Chairman, as Chief Host.

The summit committee is chaired by Pastor Olugbenga Olumolawa, and Prof. Taiwo Adenegan will serve as anchor.

“All security agencies, traditional rulers, and stakeholders have been invited to develop a unified response to the looming threat.”