Owo Attack: I Heard About Four Explosions – Priest

The priest that officiated service at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Andrew Abayomi, while narrating the sad incident, noted that he heard about four explosions during the attack on the church.

Naija News had earlier reported that gunmen attacked the Catholic church on Sunday leading to the death of several persons, with others sustaining injuries.

The priest while addressing newsmen on Monday disclosed that he and some worshippers hid in another part of the church during the attack.

Abayomi while narrating how he escaped being killed during the attack said, “From what I can still recall, it was towards the closing of the mass. I had already told the people ‘go forth, the mass is ended’.

“It was during that moment that I heard a loud noise. I was wondering what caused the commotion. It was when I looked from the sanctuary that I saw one of us, who could have seen what was happening. So, he quickly locked the door.

“From that moment, a message got to me that armed men were around. So, I told the people there is a place called the sacristy behind the sanctuary so that they can escape. I was in the inner room with people; even the children were hiding.

“Within that moment, I heard about four explosions. I didn’t see their faces because we had moved into this other part and people were already using this part to escape. After about 20 minutes, I was able to call the father-in-charge to ask him where he was. He said he was still at the other place to celebrate mass.

“So, I told him what was happening and if he could get the contact of the security agencies. I called the first assistant too. After some minutes, I got to know that they had gone. That was when we could come out.

“With my eyes, I saw like three persons lying dead and the other casualties.”