The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Owo Local Government Area, has held a prayer session in Owo, Ondo State, following an attack on the St Francis Catholic Church in the town.
They gathered at the church in the early hours of Monday for the prayer session and also held a protest in the area.
Speaking after the prayer session, the CAN Chairman in Owo council, Revd. Joshua Oladapo expressed sadness over what he described as an “evil” occurrence.
He said hospitals in the area are grappling with the treatment of wounded persons, saying the casualty figures are much. The cleric called on the leaders across the country and the international community to wade into the attacks on churches.
“This is a clarion call, to not only the Nigeria leaders but the international community, that these incessant attacks, most especially the Christian body, the peaceful communities in our nation, should not continue,” he said.
“We want the international community to wade in before it goes out of hand,” the CAN leader added.
A day after the incident, security agents were seen in the vicinity. Residents of the street where the church is located are mourning and the area is calm as authorities battle to unravel the masterminds.
Hospitals are battling to save lives and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) is calling for blood donations.
Already, condemnations have continued to pour in from several quarters including President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, governors, political office holders, and religious bodies among others.
Governor Akeredolu visited the scene of the attack and vowed to hunt down the perpetrators.
“This is an unexpected development. I am shocked, to say the least. Nevertheless, We shall commit every available resource to hunt down these assailants and make them pay,” he said about the attack which he described as a “personal loss”.
“We shall never bow to the machinations of heartless elements in our resolves to rid our state of criminals.”
On his part, President Buhari said the nation will not succumb to the dictates of those he described as evil and wicked people.
“No matter what, this country shall never give in to evil and wicked people, and darkness will never overcome the light. Nigeria will eventually win,” the President was quoted as saying via a statement issued by his media aide, Femi Adesina.