Owo Church attack: Church reopens for Easter service as victims still moan in pain

Ten months after a terrorist attack that killed at least 40 worshippers, St. Francis Catholic Cathedral in Owo, Ondo State, will temporarily reopen on Sunday for the Easter service.

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Jude Arogundade, announced the development on Saturday.

"Since the unfortunate incident that occurred to our members at St. Francis Cathedral in Owo on June 5, 2022, the church has been closed for safety reasons and as a sign of respect for our deceased brothers and sisters.< /p>

“The church will be reopened for Easter Sunday. The Ondo state government is also planning to commemorate the first anniversary of the massacre in honor of our fallen heroes,” Mr. Arogundade said .

But a member of the church's committee on the welfare of victims of the terror attack, Perpetua Ezibo, said some of the injured victims were still moaning in pain.

At least 40 worshipers were killed and hundreds more injured when gunmen stormed the church during Sunday mass. The terrorists threw explosives and opened fire on worshipers before escaping from the site of the bloodbath.

Many injured victims were taken to Federal Medical Center and St. Louis Hospital, both in Owo, for treatment.

But the police have yet to bring the terrorists to justice.

Ms Ezibo, whose daughter was a victim of the attack, told our reporter that around five survivors needed further surgery.

"She's better but she's going to have another surgery," she said, referring to her daughter.

"You know it's a young girl. Apart from my daughter, the victims who have another surgery that I know of are about four," Ms Ezibo said.

“It is not the government sponsoring them, it is the Ondo State Catholic Diocese sponsoring them,” she added.

Ms Ezibo said some of the victims who recovered from their injuries have resumed normal business activities, but many are still feeling the trauma of the incident.

“Some have resumed their normal activities, some are still coping while others are still afraid. That is why we must return to this church. Some people may be afraid to return to church, as Being human is normal,” she said.

Temporary reopening

Church catechist Jonathan Awolo told PREMIUM TIMES that the church is not yet reopening as reconstruction work is still ongoing.

"We're not opening finally because we're still rebuilding something about the event. It's just that the church wants to bless the place for them to start mass there. is not officially open but we want to have masses there. That is why the bishop comes to bless the place so that we can start,” he said.

"They've finished everything except the one they're building, the memorial to those people, we're still building that one, it's not finished yet. The opening definitive will probably take place by June,” he added.

Optimism

Mr. Awolo was at the church during the attack but escaped unscathed.

"I am not happy that we have traveled far for many months to celebrate Mass. This is not good enough. It is a joy for people. We will be able to manage the place for Mass until at the final opening.”

Ms. Ezibo also declared herself ready to resume Mass with her loved ones.

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