Residents of Owo in Ondo State are living in fear following threats of a fresh attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, three years after the deadly massacre that shocked the nation.
According to reports, anonymous bandits have sent a threatening letter to the church, vowing to launch another attack "soon," though no specific timeline was provided. The threat has reignited trauma in the community still recovering from the June 5, 2022, Pentecost Sunday attack that claimed 41 lives and left 69 others injured.
The 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church stands as one of Nigeria's deadliest acts of violence against a religious institution in recent years. Gunmen stormed the church during Sunday service, unleashing terror on worshippers in an incident that drew national and international condemnation.
In response to the new threat and growing insecurity concerns, the traditional ruler of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, has convened a security summit to address the situation. The summit, themed "Securing Owo and its Environs: Strategies for Community Safety and Resilience," is scheduled to take place next week.
Mr. Bosun Oladimeji, the summit's publicity secretary, stated that the gathering aims to raise awareness about community security, foster cooperation between residents and law enforcement agencies, reduce crime rates, and propose sustainable security initiatives for the area.
"A key objective of the summit is to establish a Security Trust Fund to support long-term security efforts in Owo and surrounding communities," Oladimeji explained.
The threat comes at a time when parts of Ondo State and Nigeria at large continue to grapple with various security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes.
Security agencies have yet to make an official statement regarding the threat, but community leaders are calling for increased vigilance and a stronger security presence in the ancient town.
The situation in Owo reflects the broader security challenges facing many Nigerian communities, where threats of violence continue to disrupt daily life and religious activities.
