Fresh fears have gripped residents of Owo, Ondo State, following a chilling threat by suspected gunmen to attack St. Francis Catholic Church — the same church where dozens of worshippers were massacred during a Sunday Mass on June 5, 2022.
Nearly three years after that horrific attack, which left the nation in mourning, another threat has emerged, sending waves of panic through the ancient town.
Monarch Steps In
In response, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye, has swiftly convened a high-level security summit aimed at bolstering community resilience and forestalling any further tragedy.
The Publicity Secretary of the Owo Security Summit Committee, Olatunbosun Oladimeji, confirmed the move in a statement issued in Akure, the state capital.
Summit Details
The maiden Owo Security Summit, themed “Securing Owo and its Environ: Strategies for Community Safety and Resilience”, is scheduled for Monday, May 26. The summit is expected to bring together government leaders, security agencies, and local stakeholders to develop a coordinated security response.
According to Oladimeji, the summit aims to:
- Raise public awareness on community safety
- Strengthen collaboration between residents and security operatives
- Establish a Security Trust Fund to support sustainable, long-term safety efforts
- Provide strategies to curb crime and address recent kidnappings and security threats that have disrupted the town’s socio-economic stability
Who’s Attending
Dignitaries expected at the summit include:
- Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa
- Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Owolabi Adelami
- Justice Adesuyi Olateru-Olagbegi, who will chair the event
- Hon. Tope Omolayo, Owo Local Government Chairman (Chief Host)
- Pastor Olugbenga Olumolawa, Committee Chairman
- Prof. Taiwo Adenegan, Summit Anchor
All relevant security agencies, traditional rulers, and key community leaders have been invited to map out an actionable plan to counter the renewed threat of violence.
