The group while expressing concerns over the terrorist attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, said the perpetrators must be apprehended and brought to book.
The group stated this during condolence visits to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Jude Arogundade, and the Olowo of Owoland, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye.
The group, led by its founder, Mr Demola Ijabiyi, donated a sum of N3,000,000,00 to the church for the victims of the attack.
Ijabiyi, who noted that Nigeria was at the precipice, stated that it was worrisome that the Nigerian government had failed to protect its citizens.
He opined that the attack seemed to have been a fight back against the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, for his stand on the security of the state.
He said, “We are here to commiserate with you on the June 5 attack at the St. Francis Catholic Church. It is a terrible situation for the state and the entire country. We did not sense it could happen at our doorstep. It is worrisome to us. This country is in dire need of security proactiveness if they (hoodlums) have the audacity of desecrating a sacred place.
“One thing that can ameliorate this is the arrest of the killers. First, it was the daughter of Pa. Fasoranti, then the killing of Olufon of Ifon, and now Owo. We believe that something must happen, otherwise, they will come back, God forbids.”
Responding, the bishop, who confirmed that many donations had been received from different individuals and groups from all over the country, appreciated the group for the gesture and said there would be proper accountability for all the money received.
Arogundade informed the group that some injured people were still in hospitals while some cases needed sophisticated health treatment.
He said, “We will do everything to make children of the victims get to anywhere they want. Thank you for this handsome money. I bet you, we know how to use it judiciously and make it impactful on the victims.
“Accountability is built in the church system. We will take everything through a process. I know that if we do it well, none of them will know poverty.”
On his part, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, explained that the effect of the ugly incident was borne not only on Owo but the entire Yoruba and Nigeria at large.
He explained that the palace did not envisage such an attack, considering Owo as a peaceful environment.
“The incident has affected the morale of residents of the state and the palace has put in place necessary measures so that such occurrence would not repeat itself.”
