The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has condemned the heinous attack on worshippers at a Catholic Church in Nigeria, at Owo, Ondo State, urging the Nigerian Government to fish out the perpetrators.
Guterres, in a statement by his spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, on Monday, urged the Nigerian authorities to spare no effort in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
According to him, the secretary-general condemns in the strongest terms the heinous attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.
The attack, which happened on Sunday, resulted in the death and injuries of scores of civilians as people gathered for the Pentecost Mass in the parish.
The spokesman said the secretary-general emphasised that attacks on places of worship are abhorrent.
Guterres extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.
He also expresses his sympathies to, and solidarity with, the Government and people of Nigeria.
Earlier at a news conference in New York, Dujarric said the UN condemned Sunday’s horrific attack on worshippers.
He told journalists in New York that the UN Resident Coordinator in the country, Matthias Schmale, strongly condemned the attack.
“I can tell you that the Resident Coordinator for Nigeria said that the UN in Nigeria strongly condemns the brutal attack on worshippers at St Francis Catholic Church.
“The team sends its deepest condolences to families and friends mourning the victims of this horrific crime,’’ he said.
According to him, Schmale appealed for calm, saying perpetrators should be brought to justice.
Also, in a related development, Rev. Israel Akanji, President of, the Nigerian Baptist Convention, said the carnage in Owo, which took place in a sacred place is the height of the desecration of a place of worship.
Akanji, in a message he signed on Monday, said that it was a disdain for God.
According to him, “the act is despicable, unacceptable, regrettable and sad. We can only look to God at such a time as this to have mercy on our land.
“These are negative signals indicating that there is no part of this country that is safe and that there are intentional designs to engender the collapse of our nation.
“We all must arise to ensure the discontinuation of this evil trend in our nation.
“This is also a negative omen and a mark of environmental unsuitability in our national preparation towards the election of 2023.”
He said the church wants the federal and state governments to ensure the immediate arrest and prosecution of the murderers of the worshippers of St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo.
“Ensure better security provision for all places of worship in the country. Ensure the release of all people in the hands of kidnappers and bandits all over the country.
“Allow Baptist High School, Ijagbo, to continue its educational provision without the use of hijab.”
He said that it was the Church’s wish and prayer that the Almighty God will comfort all the bereaved families.
He also prayed that God should grant the people of Owo community, Ondo state and the entire nation the fortitude to bear these irreparable losses.
“May the Almighty God intervene to stop the progress of the workers of evil in our land. Amen,” the Baptist President said.