An earlier report indicated that the officiating priest, Rev. Fr. Andrew Abayomi, was kidnapped during the incident, which occurred around noon as the mass was about to conclude.
However, in a statement released by the church's Director of Social Communications, Rev. Augustine Ikwu, the church stated that the web story of the abduction of the pastors is incorrect.
The assertion reads
"It's Pentecost Sunday, which means every Catholic should be in church to commemorate the solemnity. It is with great sadness that we report that while the Holy Mass was in progress, armed persons of unknown provenance stormed St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Many people are believed to be dead, while others have been hurt and the church has been violated. The culprits' identities are unknown, and the incident has devastated the community.
For the time being, though, security agents have been dispatched to the community to manage the situation. We need God's ultimate intervention at this juncture in our dear country's history to restore peace and tranquillity.
Meanwhile, all of the priests in the parish are safe, and no one has been kidnapped, contrary to reports on social media. The Diocese's Bishop is also with them during this difficult time. Let us keep praying for them, as well as the wonderful people of Owo and the state as a whole."
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