Churches in Owo, Ondo State recorded a low turnout of worshippers on Sunday as residents are still in a pensive mood over the violent attack at a Catholic Church in the town last week.
Recall that suspected terrorists opened fire on worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owa-luwa, Owo, killing over 40 parishioners, and injuring scores who had gathered for Sunday mass on May 5, drawing condemnation from eminent personalities and different groups including international organisations.
Unlike other Sundays, the usually packed religious centres were largely deserted yesterday, apparently as a result of fears emanating from last week’s disaster.
Our correspondent gathered that some of the major churches in Owo, including Saint Andrews Cathedral, Imola street; Saint Patrick Anglican Church Ijebu-Owo; Saint Stephen Catholic Church Oke-Ogun; The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pentecost Parish, Folahan Ale street; and New Church Cathedral, Fajuyi, Owo, that used to be filled to capacity with worshippers, recorded a very low number of attendants, as the seats were sparsely occupied.
At the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, where the terror attack occurred, the sanctuary was totally deserted and the Church was under lock and key, while some armed police officers and soldiers were seen outside the Church premises.
There was also a joint patrol of the combined security agents in major cities, towns and villages in Ondo State, especially in Owo as men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigerian Army (NA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed ‘Amotekun’ were seen stationed in strategic locations, particularly close to Churches, while others were seen patrolling the streets with their vans.
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