Peter Obi on Ondo Catholic Church attack: Nigeria is fast becoming a failed state

Peter Obi said: “What happened in Owo today again adds to my position that our country is fast becoming a failed state.”

By Emma Ogbuehi

Former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, on Sunday said if the massacre of Catholic faithful at St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, Owo, Ondo State, it is that Nigeria is fast becoming a failed state.

Gunmen on Sunday attacked St Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa, in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo state, killing scores of worshipers.

The parishioners were caught unawares. Eyewitnesses said the Mass had just ended when the terrorists swooped on the church and started shooting.

“They came in through the front and side doors. They did not kidnap anyone. They just came to kill and after that they escaped.”

When TheNiche visited the scene of the incident, it was observed that the gunmen used dynamites to blow the altar of the church while the service was going on.

Parts of the altar POP caved in as the gunmen shot many worshipers.

Blood stains were on the floor of the church as corpses were moved to the Federal Medical Centre and St Louis Catholic Hospital, Owo.

Many who were injured in the incident have also been rushed to the hospital.

READ ALSO: Buhari, Sanwo-Olu condemn terror attack on Ondo Catholic Church, police vow action

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen were up to 10 in number.

In his reaction on Sunday through his verified twitter handle, Peter Obi said: “What happened in Owo today again adds to my position that our country is fast becoming a failed state. All must now join hands in saving our country from this existential situation we find ourselves in today.

“I sympathise with the victims’ families, the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, the people and the Government of Ondo State. I urge the Federal Government and Ondo State Government to do whatever is possible to ensure that perpetrators of the dastardly act are brought to book.”