By Abiola Olawale
The Ondo State Police Command has officially launched a comprehensive investigation following a fresh attack on a church in the state. Coming nearly four years after the devastating Owo massacre, this latest incident has once again placed southwest Nigeria on high alert, prompting security agencies to reinforce safety protocols for religious gatherings.
Speaking with the press on Thursday, Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal confirmed that a specialized tactical team has been deployed to the scene to gather forensic evidence and track the perpetrators.
He added that the identities of the perpetrators and their motive would be revealed after the investigations are concluded.
“Investigation is ongoing on the perpetrator so by the time we conclude our investigation, we will be able to come out with the identity and the motive behind the attack on the church,” Lawal said.
This comes after armed men reportedly stormed the church, a branch of the Celestial Church of Christ, at about 1:00 a.m. while a service was ongoing and abducted the worshippers, taking them to an unknown destination.
The police commissioner disclosed that residents have been advised against organising religious activities at night.
“Ondo State Command has advised the good people of Ondo State that for this period, religious activities should be shifted to daytime, not nighttime. That incident at Owo — that church was attacked at about 2 a.m. in the middle of the night — and that’s contrary to the advice we give,” the commissioner said.
He acknowledged that there is freedom of worship but noted that the current security situation does not support night services.
“We are not saying people should not worship, of course, you have freedom of worship, but then the situation on the ground does not encourage us to start carrying out our worship in the middle of the night, and more so in an isolated area. If you want to do such a thing, inform the police so I’d be able to provide police for the worshippers,” he said.
