The Catholic Diocese of Ondo has refuted reports being circulated on social media that a priest was abducted during the attack at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, on Pentecost Sunday.
The reports said the officiating priest, Rev. Fr. Andrew Abayomi, was kidnapped in the incident which happened at about noon when the mass had almost ended.
However, spokesman of the diocese Rev Augustine Ikwu in a statement said all the priests who were around during the attack are safe.
“It is so sad to say that while the Holy Mass was going on, men of unknown origin, wielding guns attacked St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Many are feared dead, many others injured and the church violated. The identity of the perpetrators remains unknown and the situation has left the community devastated,” the statement said.
“However, for now, security agencies have been deployed to the community to relatively handle the situation. At this point in the history of our dear country Nigeria, we need God’s ultimate intervention to restore peace and tranquility.
“Meanwhile, all the priests in the parish are safe and none was kidnapped as the social media has it. The Bishop of the Diocese is also with them at this trying time. Let us continue to pray for them and the good people of Owo and the state at large.”
