St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, attack in 2022: Ondo State govt demolishes victims’ memorial park built by a former governor, late Rotimi Akeredolu

St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, attack in 2022: Ondo State govt demolishes victims’ memorial park built by a former governor, late Rotimi Akeredolu

The Ondo State Government has demolished the memorial park built by a former governor of the state, the late Rotimi Akeredolu, to honour and immortalise the worshippers of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, killed in a terrorist attack on the church in 2022.

The cenotaph — which had the names of the victims of the attack and was located at the heart of the ancient town — was said to have been demolished on the order of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The Chief Press Secretary to Aiyedatiwa, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, confirmed the demolition of the monument to newsmen.

He said the decision was taken by the government after complaints from the palace about the site of the cenotaph.

“It was a special request from the palace of the Olowo as it is said to be against the culture and tradition to site such near the palace.”

‘Owo People Rejected Park’s Location’

Meanwhile, the Olowo-in-Council has said that it warned the administration of a former governor of Ondo State, the late Rotimi Akeredolu, against contruction a memorial park to immortalise the worshippers of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, killed in a terrorist attack on the church in 2022.

This was contained in a statement from the place.

It said celebrating the dead near the palace was not in conformity with the age-long culture and traditions of Owo.

It said that all advice to then state government regarding the location of the park was dismissed by the former governor.

“In view of the public reactions generated by the demolition of the Memorial Park supposedly built in honour of June 5, 2022, murderous attack victims at St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, the Palace wishes to say unequivocally that the request for this action was at the instance of His Imperial Majesty, Olowo of Owo and the entire good people of the kingdom.

“It must be made clear that the decision to site the structure in that particular location was resisted by the Olowo-in-Council and frowned upon by the people of the community when it was being conceived by the government of the late Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN,” a statement from the palace read in part.

The palace said the former administration also disregarded the protest by the youth against the location of the memorial park.

It said, “All advice to the late governor that celebrating the dead in any guise around the palace is not in conformity with the age-long culture and traditions of Owo was defiantly dismissed, even at a time a protest was made by concerned Owo youths and stakeholders to that effect which the then governor disregarded.

“The above position of the palace is vindicated by the enthusiasm shown by the Owo people and the deluge of commendations across sundry media platforms in support of the demolition.”

While stating that it would provide additional information on the incident, it urged those against the demolition to direct their questions towards the palace.

It added, “The Olowo-in-Council will soon come out to avail the public with the comprehensive details of all that happened before and during the construction of the structure which led to the current development.

“And before then, we advise anyone with any issues whatsoever against the demolition to make the palace their target and not the listening Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, who is not in any way responsible for the demolition.”

In June 2022, no fewer than 40 worshippers were brutally killed by armed men, suspected to be terrorists, with scores injured during an early morning Mass at the church.

In 2023, the late Akeredolu constructed the memorial park to honour the victims.

However, the construction of the monument was not welcomed by the paramount ruler of the town, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, who objected to the siting of the monument directly opposite his palace.