Owo Massacre: Ooni Ogunwusi Says Yoruba Can’t Be Overrun

Owo Massacre: Ooni Ogunwusi Decries Nigerians' Vulnerability, Says Yoruba Can’t Be Overrun

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has condemned the unprovoked  attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa, Owo, Ondo State, gunmen , killing and injuring many people .

Oba Ogunwusi, in a statement by his Director of Media & Public Affairs,mr  Moses Olafare , said the  massacre was a calculated attempt  by the perpetrators to turn Yorubaland to a war zone.

According to the Ooni,the Yorubas are peace loving people who are not easily provoked to applying mosaic law of "an eye  for an eye" otherwise the ugly incident would have degenerated to a civil war.

“We should all be reminded that yesterday Sunday 6th of June made it exactly one year when an invading gang of killer herdsmen killed at least over 20 people in Igangan, Ibarapa North local government of Oyo State on Saturday night, leaving several houses, the palace of the Asigangan and a popular petroleum station were burnt in the attack when people were asleep. Exactly a year ago!”. he said.

Oba Ogunwusi, who is the co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), hinted  that homeland security intelligence reports that  perpetrators of the dastardly act were also longing to hatch similar evil plan in other parts of  Yorubaland

“When calamities like this befall us without a single trace, the interpretation is that the intelligence unit of our country’s security architecture is probably faulty or completely missing.

However, we the descendants of Oduduwa cannot be overrun in our own home as we are prepared and ready to defend ourselves against external invaders.

Rather than discouraging us, this will rather strengthen us especially in our resolve to deploy manpower, resources and technology towards the protection of lives and properties." he reiterated

He called on  president Muhammodu Buhari,  six governors across the south west region and their counterparts nationwide to live up to their oaths of securing Nigerians and ensuring safety of the citizenry.

The Ooni commiserated with the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, the entire Owo kingdom, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Ondo State Government, the people of Owo, the Priest and parishioners of St. Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa, Owo, families of  the victims, and the entire people of Ondo State over the tragic and killings.

edited : Isaac Haastrup