Pan Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere on Sunday, cautioned the people of Ondo State not to attack innocent northerners living in the state.
Afenifere National Organising Secretary, Kole Omololu, made this known in a statement while condemning the attack on St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Emerging reports suggest that many worshippers have died and several others have been left injured following the attack by gunmen on the church which is situated close to the palace of the Olowo of Owo.
Reacting, Omololu said, “The massacre in Owo Catholic church is a direct attack on Yoruba land. It is directed at Gov Rotimi Akeredolu for his unfliching support for security in Yoruba land by championing the Amotekun security outfits, his stringent upholding of the open gracing law and for his ” big mouth” about Southern cooperation for equity and justice in Nigeria.
“We will not succumb to terrorist threats or attacks, they will not be allowed to bring down our civilisation. We will hunt the killers down.
“Citizens should not take laws into their hands by attacking innocent northerners, only the terrorists, who are mostly foreign Fulani, should be fished out and finished off by the security forces. This attack is to cause confussion and cause war in our land.
“We should not play into their hands.
“This evil is condemned in the strongest term. We commiserate with the government and people of Ondo State, the catholic church, the Olowo of owo and the people of Owo. May the soul of the departed rest in peace.”