THE Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, has directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately provide relief to victims and families of the terrorist attack at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, Owo Kingdom, in Ondo State.
The incident which happened, on Sunday, claimed many lives.
The ICIR reported that the attack happened in the church premises while mass was ongoing.
In a statement released on Monday, Farouq directed NEMA to provide humanitarian assistance to the bereaved and the victims.
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The statement also said the officials of the agency are already in Owo, Ondo State.
“Officials from NEMA, Ekiti Operation Office, have arrived at the Federal Medical Center, Owo, where the dead were taken to and the injured are being treated.
“NEMA is already conducting an on-the-spot assessment of the victims and the casualties.
“Meanwhile, Mr Kadiri Olarenwaju, Head NEMA Ekiti Operations Office, covering Ekiti, Ondo and Osun states has reported the admission of 22 adults and 11 children to the emergency wards at the Owo,” the statement said.
The minister also commiserated with the families of the dead, the Catholic Church, the people and the Government of Ondo State.
“This killing is horrific and mindless. The killing of many worshippers inside St. Francis Church on a Sunday morning is condemnable. A lot of men, women, young girls and children had their lives snuffed out during a church service in Owo.
“I mourn with their families and the state government as well as the Church. We pray for the repose of their souls,” the minister said, according to the statement.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: [email protected]. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M