Plea to “Break the cycle of violence” as gunmen massacre at least 50 in Pentecost service, south-western Nigeria
A spokesperson for Open Doors in Africa has called for Nigerian authorities to “break the cycle of violence”, following an armed massacre at a church in southwestern Nigeria.
Unknown gunmen opened fire at the St Francis Catholic Church in the town of Owo, south-western Nigeria, as members gathered to celebrate Pentecost on Sunday, June 5th. They killed an estimated 50 people.
Police spokesperson for Ondo state, Funmilayo Ibukun Odunlami told Reuters the gunmen shot at people outside and inside the church building, killing and injuring worshippers. According to eyewitnesses the attackers also detonated explosives.
Open Doors’ spokesperson for the work in sub-Saharan Africa, Jo Newhouse* said: “We condemn in the strongest terms possible the attack on Christians as they gathered in peace to worship God.
“We call on the Nigerian government to adequately discharge its legal obligation of duty to protect its citizens, both under international and domestic legal regimes.
“We also call upon the authorities to take a strong stance against all violence, including Fulani militant violence, investigate the perpetrators, hold them accountable to the justice system and break the cycle of violence that is expanding to other areas of the country, as is clearly shown by this incident.
“The longer these acts go unpunished, the longer they will continue.”
The shooting has drawn added concern as it took place in the largely Christian southwestern state of Ondo. Armed attacks and abductions are commonplace in the mostly Muslim north-eastern part of the country, where militant groups like Boko Haram, ISWAP and radicalized Fulani herdsmen regularly attack. However, there is concern that the wave of violence is spreading out further across Nigeria and to neighbouring countries.
So far, there is no official death toll, but Adelegbe Timileyin, who represents the Owo area in Nigeria’s lower legislative chamber, told media at least 50 people had been killed, though others put the figure higher.
Dozens of wounded sought medical attention, overwhelming hospital staff.
No one has so far claimed responsibility for the massacre. However, Adeyemi Olayemi, a lawmaker in Ondo, told the Guardian it is believed to be the work of ethnic Fulani terrorists.
Olayemi said the attack was likely to have been in retaliation for recent restrictions by the state government on grazing in Ondo, including in forests where the assailants have carried out attacks. The restrictions were adopted after an upsurge in kidnappings in the state.
“We have enjoyed improved security since herdsmen were driven away from our forests by this administration,” said Olayemi. “This is a reprisal attack to send a diabolical message to the governor.”
Open Doors is investigating these claims.
One week ago, the head of the Methodist Church in Nigeria was abducted along with two other clerics in the southeast of the country. The Methodist prelate said he paid $240,000 USD to be freed with his companions.
Two weeks ago, two Catholic priests were kidnapped in Katsina, President Muhammadu Buhari’s home state in the north of the country. They have not been released.
President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the shooting, calling it “heinous”.
Rev Augustine Ikwu, a secretary of the Catholic Church in Ondo, said in a statement that the attack had “left the community devastated”.
He added: “We turn to God to console the families of those whose lives were lost.”
Please pray
Please come together and pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray that those who are hurting, many lost someone they love in this attack, ask God for healing and peace. Lastly, please pray for all the lasting fear this caused, pray that it doesn’t pull them away from God but that it becomes a fear that pushes them to God.
