Emotions ran high at the funeral mass for the victims of St Francis Catholic Church attack in Owo, Ondo state as sympathizers, eminent personalities, families, and Catholic families, mostly dressed in black attires attended the service.
The funeral mass started immediately the caskets bearing the bodies of the deceased including a policeman and children were brought in.
In a message, the Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, The Most Reverend Jude Arogundade challenged the federal government to hearken to the cries of Nigerians for the creation of state police to protect the lives of the people.
Reverend Arogundade who betrayed emotions in his speech said Nigerians must rise up to speak and demonstrate it strength and oneness to defeat terror attacks from evil-minded groups.
He appreciated Ondo state governor for accepting the offer to have a burial site in honour of the people killed.
Addressing the crowd, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu advocated resigning the country’s security architecture.
Mr Akeredolu pointed out that seventy victims were still receiving treatment at various hospitals while some had already been buried by their loved ones.
Dignitaries who graced the burial included the wife of the governor, Mrs Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu, former governor of the state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and Bishop of Sokoto diocese, Most Reverend Matthew Kukah.
Isaac Afolabi
