As the Catholic Diocese of Ondo announced a mass burial for the victims of the terror attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, on June 17, 2022, the Lagos State Government has declared three days of mourning over the killings.
According to the church, 40 people were killed in the attack, and several others were injured.
Mr Gbenga Omotoso, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Monday, that the Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu had directed the observation of the mourning.
He said that flags are flying at half-mast in Lagos following Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s directive.
”The action is for three days to mourn the victims of the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, terrorist attack.
”The decision to mourn the victims came at a South-West Governors’ June 10 virtual meeting, which reviewed the security situation in the region.
”The communique issued after the meeting was signed by Governors Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo; Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti; Gboyega Oyetola, Osun; Dapo Abiodun, Ogun; Seyi Makinde, Oyo, and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos.
”The governors condemned in very strong terms the horrendous crime perpetrated by terrorists against the people and residents of Owo, Ondo State and, by extension, the peace-loving people of the South-West,” he said.
Omotoso said that the governors recommended an increase in the scope of surveillance of the activities of undocumented settlers by security agencies in all the states.
He said that the governors, as Chief Security Officers, resolved to continue to assist the security agencies in crisis management and intelligence gathering at all times.
The commissioner said that Gov Sanwo-Olu also urged Lagos residents and visitors to remain law-abiding and vigilant, as the government is doing everything to ensure that peace continues to prevail in the state.
The Diocese of Ondo’s Director of Social Communication, Rev. Fr. Augustine Ikwu, had said that the mass burial would take place at a new cemetery on Emure Road in Owo.
