Bandits have reportedly killed over 50 persons in an attack on the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, headquarters of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State. Apart from worshippers, some passersby were also hit by stray bullets. According to witnesses, the attack occurred during the church’s Sunday service.


The witnesses said the gunmen stormed the church during service and started shooting sporadically.


Explosives were also detonated by the gunmen inside the premises of the church.


It was gathered the injured and the dead were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre Owo, for medical attention.


The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of FMC, Owo, Dr Liasu Adeagbo who confirmed the development, informed that many medical personnel have been deployed to cater for the injured persons.


He said it was still too early to speak on the issue.


Meanwhile, a nurse at Owo, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there were few medical personnel on ground to attend to the victims at the emergency unit of the hospital.


She said many of the victims were taken to a private hospital.