The mass burial is scheduled to take place at the church’s new cemetery at Emure Road, Owo.

According to the church, no fewer than 40 people died in the attack while many others sustained injuries.

The Diocese’s Director of Social Communication, Rev. Fr. Augustine Ikwu, confirmed the date of the mass burial on Monday.

“The mass burial would take place at the new cemetery of the church on Friday in Owo,” he said.

He maintained that the number of the deceased still remained 40.

It was gathered that the injured victims are still receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre and the St. Louis Catholic Hospital both in Owo and some other private hospitals in the state.

However, no one has been arrested in connection with the attack.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has declared a three-day mourning for the victims of the attack.

The governor, in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omostoso, on Monday, directed that all flags should fly at half-mast as part of decision to mourn the victims at the Southern Governors’ meeting.

Sanwo-Olu also urged Lagos residents and visitors to remain law-abiding and vigilant as the government is doing everything to ensure that peace continues to prevail in the state.

He said, “Flags are flying at half-mast in Lagos following Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive. The action is for three days to mourn the victims of the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, terrorist attack.

“The decision to mourn the victims came at a Southwest Governors’ June 10 virtual meeting, which reviewed the security situation in the region. The communique issued after the meeting was signed by Governors Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo; Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti; Gboyega Oyetola, Osun; Dapo Abiodun, Ogun; Seyi Makinde, Oyo and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos.

“The governors condemned in very strong terms the horrendous crime perpetrated by terrorists against the people and residents of Owo, Ondo State and, by extension, the peace-loving people of the South-West.”

The monarch spoke in reaction to the recent massacre of innocent worshippers at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, on June 5, 2022.

Oba Adeniyi stated that a situation such as the massacre called for concerted action, as security is not the exclusive responsibility of anyone or group of persons, but a joint responsibility.

He said, “When you have a problem like this in the western world, it is not the business of the policemen alone. They combine all forces to face the threat. So, I am appealing to our government because the usual trend is for the people to blame the Obas and other traditional rulers and call us all sorts of names.

“They even curse us and accuse us of being compromised, but you cannot blame them because they are talking out of pain. That is why I am speaking up. Perhaps if every Oba and traditional ruler speaks up, things would change. As you know, Obas don’t have any serious power; we only console ourselves when we say that we are the government because the truth is that we are not.”

The Oba, who was dismayed over the matter, stated that such a massacre in broad daylight could not be overlooked.

“If we keep quiet, it is even more dangerous. Since that incident, I have not been myself. I even shed tears after seeing a graphic picture of what happened,” he said.

The monarch, who had cut short his palace Gelede Rebirth Celebration that Sunday, stated that he would rally and galvanise all Obas in the Lagos State Council of Obas to take up the issue.

This was contained in a statement issued by Akeredolu’s Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde on Monday.

According to the statement, Akeredolu ordered all public buildings, facilities, and official residence in the State to fly flags at half-mast for seven days in honour of the victims of the Sunday terror assault.

Akeredolu stated that the attack on the church’s innocent worshipers was a deliberate and calculated strike on the people of the State.

The Governor added that those who unleashed the unprovoked terror attack on the people have tested the collective resolves of everyone.

The statement read, “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.”

Ojogo said gunmen shot for more than 20 minutes and the police didn’t show up despite the fact that police station was a few metres away.

He, therefore said this is one of the reason why  state police is needed to avoid such incident in future.

The former commissioner said this on Monday,  during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.  

“The nearest police station to that place is two km. There is a police station not far from the Olowo palace, and this happened not far from the palace,” Ojogo said.

“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.”

The APC national Leader made this pledge on Monday, where he visited Owo in Ondo State where over 30 Catholic church worshippers were killed by gunmen.

Recall that armed men yet-to-be-identified had on Sunday, invaded the St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, and opened fire on worshipers.

Speaking at the Palace of Olowo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye during a condolence visit in the company of Akeredolu, Tinubu condemned the violent attack on innocent worshippers.

He described the attack as an evil that must be defeated, saying “there is no place for such hatred and wanton taking of innocent lives” in our country.

The association made this call while condemning the deadly attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo Ondo state, and

The CAN’s Youth Wing, National Chairman, Belusochukwu Enwere, disclosed this in a somber statement on Monday, urging the Federal Government to urgently confront the increasing security threats in the country.

The organisation also urged the authorities not to relent, but to work tirelessly to ensure that the perpetrators of the dastardly act were brought to book.

He said, “The Youth Wing Christian Association of Nigeria received with rude shock the attack on St. Francis Church, Owo, leading to the death of over 50 people and many with others injured.

“We are devastated, the nation is bleeding. This is evil, wicked, and monstrous act. To the entire Christian youths and Christians, Is a black Sunday.

“It is too heavy to bear. The body of Christ and the church is violated.

“Nigeria is bleeding and the entire nation are mourning. We call on all the entire Christian youths and by extension all Christians all over the world to observe three days mourning and for the souls of those killed and total recovery of the injured ones.

“The government must act now and ensure that the perpetrators are exposed and brought to book.

“I urge security agencies to commence full scale investigations in a bid to arrest the perpetrators of this dastardly act and to avoid recurrence

“We commiserate with the entire Christians and the Catholic community and pray to God to grant the departed souls eternal rest.

“Our heartfelt condolences to the Catholic community especially the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo and the entire Christians at large.”

The association also charged the governments and security agencies to do more in regard to the protection of lives and properties.

The NMA President, Dr Uche Ojinmah made this call on Sunday in a statement, hours after attackers killed scores of persons and injured many others at the St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area.

“The NMA hereby calls for quick intervention by our Governments and security agencies to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians in every part of this nation,” Ojinmah said in the statement.

“The Nigerian Medical Association commiserates with the Government and good people of Ondo State over the loss of lives and prays for the quick recovery of those injured.

“We appeal to Nigerians in the affected area of Ondo State to kindly go to the hospitals where the injured are being treated to donate blood to save lives.”

He also called on doctors in the state and environs to mobilise themselves to take part in the treatment of those injured following the incident.

While lamenting the rising levels of insecurity in Nigeria, the NMA said the government must go beyond rhetorics and secure the country.

“The recurrent shedding of innocent blood in our dear country has been going on for far too long and it is the position of the Nigerian Medical Association that explanations, condemnations, and reassurances are no longer comforting,” it said.

“The NMA hereby calls for quick intervention by our Governments and security agencies to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians in every part of this nation.”

“NMA also calls for the release in good health of those abducted,” the NMA added as the body condoled with the families of the victims, the people, and the government of Ondo State over the attack.