In an interview with BBC Yoruba, the imam stated that suspected terrorists attacked as the day's service was coming to a close.
"We were nearing the conclusion of service. As a result of my request for everyone to leave, we began hearing gunshots from various directions."
"We hid in the church during the attack, but some people had already fled. We were stuck inside the church for twenty minutes. When we learned that they had left, we immediately opened the church and took the wounded to the hospital."
The governor of his hometown, Rotimi Akeredolu, has responded to the event.
He branded the attack as "vile and diabolical," claiming that it was a deliberate assault on the peace-loving citizens of the Owo Kingdom, who have enjoyed relative tranquilly for years.
"It is a Sunday of darkness in Owo. Our hearts are burdensome. Our serenity and calm have been assaulted by our people's enemies. This is a personal loss and an assault on our beloved nation. The Most Reverend Jude Arogundade, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, is currently in route to Owo. Similarly, I had to cut short my party's national mission in Abuja in order to get straight to Owo."
This is an unexpected occurrence. I am, to say the least, stunned. Nonetheless, we will employ every possible resource to track down and punish these attackers. We will never yield to the schemes of callous individuals in our efforts to cleanse the state of criminals. I sympathise with my people in Owo, especially the relatives of those who perished in this heinous and tragic act. Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye, Olowo of Owo, and the Catholic Church have my deepest sympathies.
"I urge our citizens to be watchful and calm. You should not disregard the law. I have communicated with the leaders of security agencies. I have also been promised that security personnel will be dispatched to monitor the Owo kingdom and restore normalcy." Akeredolu said.
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