5 children, 2 teenagers, 31 adults – Ondo Catholic Diocese gives update on #OwoMassacre death toll 

The Ondo Catholic Diocese has announced that 38 people have so far been confirmed dead from the attack on St Francis Xavier Catholic Church at Owaluwa, in Owo local government of Ondo State, on Sunday, June 5, 2022.

“So far, the number of those confirmed dead and deposited at the mortuaries is thirty-eight (38) – four (4) male children, one (1) female child, one (1) male teenager, one (1) female teenager, twelve (12) male and nineteen (19) female adults,” Rev. Fr. Augustine Ikwu, the Director of Social Communications of the Diocese, said in a statement on Tuesday, June 7, 2022.

Ikwu added that many others are still at the hospitals as he appealed to “those who might have taken charge of the bodies of their loved ones should let us know.”

The statement added that the funeral date will be announced shortly.

An attack on the St Francis Catholic Church on Sunday sparked national outrage as Nigerians condemned the killing and called on government to put an end to insecurity across the nation.

A resident in the Owaluwa area told Neusroom on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, that four gunmen invaded the town on Sunday and opened fire on worshippers while service was ongoing. 

“Before the attack, they had hijacked a car at the front of the church which became their getaway car after wreaking havoc on worshippers,” he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Pope Francis and many others have condemned the killing.

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the horrific attack at Saint Francis church in Owo in #Nigeria,” the Pope tweeted on Monday.

Here’s the full statement by Ondo Catholic Diocese:

Greetings to all Christ’s faithful and especially to the Catholic Community of St Francis Xavier Parish, Owo, Ondo State- Nigeria. We thank the people of Owo Kingdom and our Governor – Arakuntin Rotimi AKEREDOLU who responded immediately this horrific incident happened.

We also thank all the various Federal Government representatives/ agencies who have visited to the victims since the ugly incident on Sunday, June 5, 2022.

As a Church, we are so grieved by this gruesome murder and we condemn this evil meted on our brothers and sisters who have only come to worship God. We confess and preach the sacredness of human lives. We unequivocally ask that those who have been saddled with the safety of life and property should bring the perpetrators of this abominable act to justice, and justice soon. They must be fished out wherever they are. It is quite disheartening and embarrassing that these unnecessary killings, kidnappings and other atrocities are now done with impunity on daily basis.

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In response to this callous murder, the Bishop has directed that Masses be celebrated for the repose of the souls of those who died and for the quick recovery of those injured for the next nine (9) days, beginning from the 7th to 15th of June, 2022, across the diocese. Within the context of these Novena Masses, a prayer composed by the diocese for the healing of our brothers and sisters and for the repose of those who have died must be prayed during masses.

Plans are underway to give those who died a befitting burial. We are equally reaching out to bereaved families to see all that could be done so that we can heal together. So far, the number of those confirmed dead and deposited at the mortuaries is thirty-eight (38) – four (4) male children, one (1) female child, one (1) male teenager, one (1) female teenager, twelve (12) male and nineteen (19) female adults. Many others are still at the hospitals, both young and old. Those who might have taken charge of the bodies of their loved ones should let us know, so that we can account for everyone at the scene and give them the proper and befitting funeral rites. The funeral date will be announced shortly.

Our words of appreciation and indebtedness cannot be enough to numerous groups and individuals. We appreciate the sacrifices of the First Responders to the scene, those who donated blood both in Akure and Owo to revive the lives of the victims, the health workers at the two (2) hospitals: St. Louis Catholic Hospital and Federal Medical Centre in Owo.

We are particularly grateful to those who have called, visited Owo and our bishop on account of this ugly incident. Donations or pledges in cash and kind by governments, various international communities, religious leaders, churches and others to facilitate the treatment of those in the hospitals and ease their pains are highly appreciated. We will use these funds accordingly.