Owo massacre: Tears as funeral mass held for slain victims

• FG shamed us – Akeredolu

Tears flowed freely yesterday at the funeral mass for the victims of the June 5 terror attack at the Saint Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa, Owo. 

Family members, top government officials and sympathisers present at the solemn ceremony could not hold back their tears.

The Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, wept uncontrollably at the funeral mass held at the Mydas Resort and Hotel, Owo and attended by individuals across the country.

Governor Akeredolu, who wept while delivering his speech, said the government failed to protect the victims of the attack. 

He said the security architecture of the country needed total overhauling, particularly that government has shown lack of capacity.

“What has happened to us in Owo, Ondo State, is indescribable. I still believe that there is no word to describe what happened. We have 22 of the deceased victims in this hall as some of them had been buried.

“At the last count, these animals murdered 40 people. We have failed to defend this people. We have failed in the aspect of security. These forces of evil won’t be victorious over us.

“One of the victims was a policeman who has been failed by the system. The security architecture of this country needs re-jigging. Something has to be done. We will discuss that in another forum, not here. It is not here that we will be talking of the failings of government,” he said.

While stressing that Akeredolu has not failed in his efforts to protect the people, the Bishop of Ondo Catholic Diocese, Dr Jude Arogundade, disclosed that the federal government had failed to protects its citizens.

Arogundade stressed that only decentralised police system could effectively tackle security issues in the country, and lauded the move of the governor to designate a memorial park in honour of the victims

“Akeredolu is a strong soldier. He didn’t fail; he tried his best to protect everyone. 

“We are not used to this, and no one can get used to it. What does it take for every state to have state police. Those who allow this situation to happen have blood in their hands,” he said.

On his part, the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Hassan Kukah said, “We remain hopeful about the future of our country, which is in the hands of God. We are prayerfully hoping on the power of God. We call on our people to remain strong.”

In his message during the funeral mass, the Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, The Most Rev Emmanuel Badejo said, “For how much longer shall this continue? How many more must die? Buhari must wake up, sit up and protect the lives of Nigerians.

“We Nigerians must take our country back to the path of righteousness. May God Almighty cause the evildoers to repent. Only God knows why this is happening. Only God can comfort us.”