Rotimi Akeredolu, the Governor of Ondo State has canceled this year’s Democracy Day celebration in the state. This is in honour of those who lost their lives during the attack on worshipers at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, on Sunday.
Akeredolu announced this in a Twitter thread on Saturday, saying the cancellation was to allow Ondo people mourn the deceased.
On Wednesday, the state government gave a new casualty figure from the terrorist attack on worshipers at the church.
According to the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, as of Tuesday midnight, the number of victims were 127 while 40 had been confirmed dead.
The Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Jude Arogundade, had earlier said the church recorded 38 deaths.
“The situation report as at 12 midnight, on Tuesday 7/6/22 at St. Louis Hospital, Owo, 39 people were involved and 13 deaths (confirmed). At the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, a total number of persons involved is 84 and number of corpses in the FMC mortuary is 25; female, 17, and eight males,” Ajaka said in a statement.
However, on Saturday, June 11, Akeredolu said the state would be suspending the June 12 celebration in honour of the victims.
“The cancelation is to enable the people of Ondo State mourn their loved ones who lost their lives in the horrific attack,” he tweeted on Saturday.
