Owo: Bishop demands justice for victims of terrorist attack as church reopens

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The Bishop of Ondo Catholic Diocese, Jude Arogundade, has demanded justice for the victims of a terrorist attack that killed 40 worshippers and injured several others at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.

Arogundade made the call while delivering his sermon during the reopening of the church, which was shut down for about 10 months after the attack.

Expressing his dismay, the bishop called on the Federal Government to be more proactive in protecting the lives and property of its citizens, and apologizing to Nigerians over the unprovoked attack.

He also accused the government of failing to protect its citizens, saying “a government which failed or cannot protect its citizens is not worthy to be called a government”.

“The government of this country has failed us and you, pressmen, should record me very well,” he said. “They have failed in the area of protecting the lives and property of the people.

The government must wake up and show strength and courage and make sure those who carried out the evil attack that took place in this church and the evil going around our country are brought to book and punished accordingly.”

The bishop also called on the leaders of the country to tackle the issue of bloodletting killings, kidnapping, banditry and other crimes.

The attack on St. Francis Catholic Church is one of several incidents of violence in Nigeria, which has been plagued by insecurity and terrorism in recent years.