Following last Sunday’s attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, Owo, Churches in Ondo State, particularly Owo Local Government Area of the state, there was a low turnout of worshippers during Sunday service in churches today, seemingly, for fear of another attack.

Niger Delta Connect reported that 40 persons out of the 127 involved in the attack were killed, leaving 61 survivors currently on admission in different hospitals and 26 already discharged.
Security agencies including the men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigerian Army (NA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed ‘Amotekun were visible close to churches while others were seen patrolling streets with their vans.
Some of the churches visited include: Saint Andrews cathedral, Imola street, Owo; Saint Patrick Anglican Church Ijebu- Owo; Saint Stephen Catholic Church Oke-Ogun, Owo; the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pentecost Parish, Folahan Ale street, Oke-dogbon Owo and New Church Cathedral, Fajuyi, Owo.
When Niger Delta Connect correspondent visited St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, it was deserted and under lock and key but armed police officers and soldiers were seen outside the church premises.
ALSO READ Armed Men Whisk Away Varsity Lecturer After Radio Programme
As of the time of filling this report, Niger Delta Connect gathered that no priest has conducted a holy mass to cleans the church of what has been described as a sacrilegious attack in the house of God by agents of darkness.
At St Stephen Catholic Church, Oke-ogun, members did not turn up in large number, maybe for fear of attack. Also, when mass for the ‘Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity’ was going on, the entrance gate of the church was locked.
A member of the Church, Ejike Nwali said it will be unchristian for him to stay away from the God’s house for fear of attack.
Ejike said: “Why will I be afraid to go to church because St Francis was attacked? To me, to live is Christ, he is my source of joy, my reason to live and to die is to gain eternity”, he said.
Also, the Assistant Pastor, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, His Praise Parish, Oke-ogun, Owo, Kehinde Ogunkorode said: The book of Isaiah 41:10, God instructs the prophet to tell His people not to fear. ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand’, so, you can see us here in our large number, we are not scared”.
A member of Saint Patrick Anglican Church Ijebu- Owo, Ijawoye Mathew said the low turnout was because many people were still mourning their loved ones who lost their lives in the horrific attack.