ATTACK ON ST. FRANCIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, OWO, ONDO STATE
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, condemns, in the strongest terms, the heinous attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State where many innocent worshippers were gruesomely murdered and several others severely wounded. It is a crime not only against humanity but also a grievous and inexplicable sin.
All peoples of Faith should take this attack as a direct attack on all law-abiding citizens and should therefore be in the vanguard to halt the evil that appears to be assailing the life, property and integrity of humanity, particularly believers in God.
The Council also calls on the Governments at all levels to issue and pursue an ultimatum for the security agencies to unravel the identity and bring to book the perpetrators of the violation of sanctity of not only life but also religions.
The security agents, who have been engaged to combat criminality and insecurity, are enjoined to heed the Qur’anic call that:
…For had it not been that God checks one set of people by means of another; monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, wherein the name of God is persistently mentioned would surely have been pulled down. Verily, God will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, God is All-Strong, All-Mighty. (Q 22: 40)
It is therefore mandatory for security agencies to help in rescuing the helpless citizens that we have all become.
The Council stands in absolute solidarity with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Catholic community, the government and people of Ondo State and commiserates with the families of the victims in this period of immeasurable agony and distress.
May Allah grant us peace and security in our nation. Amin!
Signed
Arc. Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu
Director of Administration
Meanwhile, NASFAT Owo Branch has condemned the dastardly act perpetrated by the rampaging criminals on the innocent worshippers at the St. Francis Catholic church, Owaluwa, Owo.
A statement by Etamesor, E. O., Secretary.
Owo Branch read:
“This attack is nothing but a crime against humanity, though the attackers have challenge God by having the effrontery of desecrating the holy place of worship with the blood of innocent worshippers, surely the God of vengeance will rise and fight this battle.
“We condole with all Catholics in Owo and across the globe for the sacrilege executed by the mischief makers.
“We use this medium to commiserate with the entire Owo Populace and Our Revered Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, we pray that almighty Allah in His infinite mercy shall return undisputed peace to Owo and its environ. We also pray to almighty Allah to accept the soul of those faithfuls who lost their lives in the ugly incident.
“We also commiserate with the Governor of Ondo state, Arakurin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, this a trying time for you, your sagacity shall give you more strength in all your dealings.
“This is a Clarion call for the Government of Ondo State to strengthen the security architecture across the state.
“We are confident that these criminals will be apprehended and pay dearly for their mischievous act.”
OWO KILLINGS: LET THERE BE JUSTICE FOR THE VICTIMS
The Network for Democracy and Development (NDD) condemns the ungodly act of terror that led to the death of many innocent Christian worshippers at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
The mass shooting inside a church during the Sunday mass is heinous, callous and nefarious. Nothing can justify the heartless attack. A house of worship is a sanctuary which, even in a situation of war, should serve as an inviolable place of refuge.
NDD calls on the Government of Ondo State and the security agencies to do everything possible to apprehend the criminal elements and make them face the full weight of the law. There should be no mercy for those who are bent on destroying the nation and her people. There must be justice for the victims.
We equally urge communities and citizens to work in close partnership with the government at all levels to stem the unimaginable level of criminality and bloodletting that we are witnessing in Nigeria.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, the people of Ondo State, the Catholic Church and the Nigerian Christian community.
May God heal Nigeria and grant us sustainable peace.
Tajudeen Alabede
National Coordinator
Muhammad Jameel Muhammad
General Secretary
Similarly, the league of Imams and Alfas, Ondo State has expressed shock on the the bomb that rocked St. Francis Church, Owo on Sunday 5th , June 2022 Where many worshipers were killed
The league of Imams and Alfas, condemned the incident in it entirety, describing it as barbaric and uncivilized
The league used this medium to commiserate with the family of those who lost their lives in the ugly incident
In a statement by the Chairman of the League, Alhaji Ahmad Aladesawe and the secretary, Alhaji AbdulRasheed Akerele said the entire Muslims in Ondo state sympathized with the Catholic mission in particular and the entire Christians in Owo. Our prayer is that such an ugly situation will not repeat itself again.
Alh. (Sheikh) Abdulrasheed Akerele
Signed. Gen. Secretary
Alh. (Sheikh) A O Aladesawe
Chairman.
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