Owo attack: Akeredolu directs flags to fly at half-mast

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, has directed all public buildings and official residences in the state to fly the Nigerian flag at half-mast for seven days to honour the victims of the ready Owo attack.

Punch Metro reported that worshippers were brutally murdered by unknown gunmen at the Saint Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, Owo, the headquarters of the Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Sunday morning.

Akeredolu’s directive was contained in a press statement posted on the Facebook page of the governor on Monday and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde.

According to the statement, Akeredolu said the attack was a deliberate and calculated assault on the people of the state,” adding that his government would not “be deterred in responding appropriately to this dastardly act.

The statement, titled, ‘Akeredolu directs flying of flags at half mast in honour of victims of Owo terror attack,’ partly read, “Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has directed all public buildings, facilities and official residences to fly the Nigerian flag at half -mast for seven days in honour of the victims of the Owo terror attack on Sunday.

“Governor Akeredolu said the attack on innocent worshipers at St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, Owo was a deliberate and calculated assault on the people of the state.”

The statement further quoted the governor as saying, “Those who unleashed this unprovoked terror attack on our people have tested our collective resolves. We will not be deterred in responding appropriately to this dastardly act.

“In honour of the victims of this unfortunate attack, I hereby direct that all flags be flown at half-mast for seven days, starting from today, Monday, June 6, to Sunday, June 12, 2022. It is a collective loss to the people of our dear state.”