June 12: Democracy Day Celebration Cancelled [See Why]

Following the terror attack on worshipers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, last week Sunday, which claimed over 50 lives, Ondo State Government has announced the cancellation of the June 12 Democracy Day celebration in the state.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Richard Olatunde on Saturday.

According to him, “the cancellation is to enable the entire people of Ondo State mourn their loved ones who lost their lives in the horrific attack.”

Correspondingly, the Governor in a series of tweet also announced the cancellation of the celebration across the state.

He wrote, honour of the victims of the terror attack at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, the Ondo State Government has cancelled this year’s June 12 celebration.

“The cancellation is to enable the people of Ondo State mourn their loved ones who lost their lives in the horrific attack,” Akeredolu tweeted on Saturday.

Recall that Governor Akeredolu had earlier directed that all flags in the state be flown at half-mast for seven days in honour of the victims of the terror attack.

Meanwhile, the State Government had on Wednesday given a new casualty figure from the terrorist attack on worshippers at the church.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, in a statement, said as of Tuesday midnight, the number of victims was 127 while 40 had been confirmed dead.

The Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Jude Arogundade, had earlier said the church recorded 38 deaths.