Owo attack: South West states declares 3-day of mourning

The six states in Nigeria’s South West region on Monday commenced three days of mourning in honour of the victims of the church attack in Owo.

This comes three days after governors in the region resolved to mourn the victims within the period following a meeting held last Friday to review the state of insecurity in the South West.

It was reported that no fewer than 40 people were killed and many others injured when gunmen opened fire on worshippers at St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The incident sparked widespread condemnation with various individuals and groups calling on the government to ensure the assailants were arrested and brought to justice.

Days after the incident, the Federal Government linked the killings to the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) – an account that Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State said was speculative.

In line with the resolutions of last Friday’s meeting, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Ondo State extended the mourning period in the state till Wednesday, following the initial seven days period which began last Monday.

He directed that all flags in the state be flown at half-mast for the three days period, to honour those who lost their lives to the attack.

Similarly, the Oyo State government, in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun, directed that flags be flown at half-mast for three days.

Also Osun State government in a statement by the state commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode in Osogbo, stated that the three days set aside by the government for the exercise is starting on Monday and will end on Wednesday, this week.

The statement, however, stated that the directive was given as a mark of solidarity and commiseration with the victims of the attack.

It stressed that “During the state mourning, all flags will be flown at half-mast throughout the state, and citizens are expected to conduct their affairs in sobriety in honour of our innocent brothers and sisters who were taken down by the attack.”

‘Osun State Government, once again, commiserates with all those who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate incident and pray for a quick recovery for those whose wounds are still being nursed.”

Authorities in the remaining states are expected to issue a similar directive, as the governors sternly condemned the attack.