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The Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, has advised Christian and Islamic religious leaders in the state to suspend night worship due to the rising security challenges in the state.
Lawal gave the advice while speaking about the recent abduction of six members of a celestial church in Uso.
“And we have always advised religious leaders, if they want to do anything, they should carry us along so we can give expert advice on whether it is safe for their congregation. In the recent case, nobody informed us about any activity taking place there,” said Lawal.
Six church worshippers were kidnapped from the Celestial Church located along the Uso/Owo Expressway in the Owo Local Government Area of the state, during a midnight service at approximately 12:50 a.m. on Tuesday. The Ondo Commissioner of Police revealed that all the victims were pregnant women and one person with disability.
“I do not know when a church became a maternity home or hospital. If someone is pregnant, the best place should be a hospital or maternity home.However, we sent a signal to all area commanders advising religious leaders—Muslim, Christian, and traditional worshippers—to suspend night worship for now because of the security challenges.”
Owo in Ondo State is slowly becoming a hotbed of violence as bandits continue to launch unprecedented attacks and wreak havoc in the community.
One major attack recorded in the area was the mass shooting and bomb attack at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo during a Pentecost Sunday service on June 5, 2022. Several suspects believed to be linked to terror groups were charged and arrested in connection with this attack in a federal high court in Abuja.
In December, bandits attacked a police station in the Ipele-Owo community in the Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State. The incident occurred as Christians were preparing to attend crossover services at church.
