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By Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Former Commissioner of Information and Orientation in Ondo State, Donald Ojogo, has said explosives were used during the attack on the catholic church in Owo.
On Sunday, St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State was attacked by gunmen during service. The gunmen were said to have detonated explosives before firing at the congregants.
Over 50 worshippers were reportedly killed in the attack, including children and women.
Speaking on Channels Television programme, ‘Sunrise Daily,’ Ojogo said many of the victims may have died while trying to run away from the point where explosives were used.
“There is a clear evidence that explosives were also used but after the explosives, from what we gather from some of the survivors, they said while they were running outside, as a result of the explosives that were used in the church, they were just being shot at.
“So, it was at the cause of the stampede that most of these persons died,” Ojogo said.
The former commissioner described the late arrival of police to the scene as unfathomable, adding that a police station is two kilometres away from where the attack happened.
He said for adequate protection of citizens, the Federal Government must submit to demands for state policing.
“The nearest police station to that place is two kilometres. There is a police station not far from the Olowo palace, and this happened not far from the palace.
“These gunmen shot for more than 20 minutes and the police didn’t show up. This is the reason we need state police.
“If we are truly going to practice true federalism, then each state should have its police to be able to stop such incidents,” Ojogo added.