By Sade Owoyemi

Initial news reports that Sunday’s gun attack on the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, was a bomb explosion may have been influenced by two gunshots that came with a more-than-usual thud, a member of the church who witnessed the tragedy has told FIJ.

On Sunday, a group of terrorists clad in military camouflage laid siege to the church just as its mass ended, killing and injuring scores of worshippers.

The attack was initially reported as a bomb “explosion” without the mention of guns. Footage of the attack would later surface on social media, showing that the deaths were largely by the barrel of the assailants’ guns.

Congregants who were also in the church auditorium when it happened also told FIJ the gunshots, aimed at innocent wroshippers from the four corners of the church, lasted more than 10 minutes.

“There was no fire, no smoke; nothing in the church,” a worshipper, who asked not to be named for security reasons, told FIJ.

“There was no sign of any explosion inside or outside the church. But I understand the people saying there was an explosion: there were two particular gunshots that were so loud and maybe the attackers used pump action or something.

“The shots were very, very, very [sic] loud as to be mistaken for explosions, but they were not bomb explosions; I didn’t hear any.”

The congregant, though, confirmed that he “later heard someone was injured because a dynamite was used on him”. This, as of the time of filing this press report, is the only non-gun injury or death that FIJ has been able to ascertain.

Oghene1st:
I will not join people to drag Fulani herdsmen yet. Let us wait for the result of the ongoing investigation.

DeadorAlive:


Who is investigating

That's the end of the case.

Nobody will be arrested.

Is like you are new to Nigeria

Oghene1st:
I will not join people to drag Fulani herdsmen yet. Let us wait for the result of the ongoing investigation.

Oghene1st:
I will not join people to drag Fulani herdsmen yet. Let us wait for the result of the ongoing investigation.

christistruth01:



The good thing about Fulani Herdsmen ISWAP and Boko Haram is that they always own up to their attacks with their full Chest let us give them another 48 hours if they don't claim responsibility we will know where to look next

Oghene1st:
I will not join people to drag Fulani herdsmen yet. Let us wait for the result of the ongoing investigation.

christistruth01:



The good thing about Fulani Herdsmen ISWAP and Boko Haram is that they always own up to their attacks with their full Chest let us give them another 48 hours if they don't claim responsibility we will know where to look next

chatinent:
Nigeria is a weapon fashioned against me.

Oghene1st:
I will not join people to drag Fulani herdsmen yet. Let us wait for the result of the ongoing investigation.