Shooters kill worshippers in Nigeria church attack in what is one of the most horrific shootings in recent times
Three Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ogenyi Onazi have expressed their sadness at last weekend’s church attack by gunmen in the relatively peaceful city of Owo in Nigeria.
Early on June 5, the nation was plunged into sorrow following the brutal attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria, which left many dead and others injured.
According to several eyewitness reports, armed men entered St Francis Catholic church and fired at the congregation during a service to mark the holiday of Pentecost.
While a vast section of Nigeria continues to cringe under the heavy weight of kidnappings and terrorism-related attacks, Osun State has remained largely peaceful until Sunday’s episode.
More than 50 people, including children, have been killed, with several others injured.
The incident has been condemned from many quarters.
I was deeply saddened to learn of the horrific attack at Saint Francis church in Owo in #Nigeria. #PrayTogether for all those affected by this act of unspeakable violence and for the conversion of those blinded by hatred and violence.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) June 6, 2022
The shooting happened as the Super Eagles were camped in Abuja, preparing to face Sierra Leone in the qualifiers of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
And a few Nigerian footballers have taken to Instagram to express their displeasure at the tragedy.
“Pray for Ondo State,” Napoli forward Victor Osimhen wrote on his official page.
In an even more sober mood than Osimhen’s, ex-Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi wrote: “My heart is beyond broken.”
And on his page, Leicester City midfield dynamo Wilfred Ndidi said, “Pray for Nigeria; even in our prayers we are not safe.”
Ndidi is currently not in the Super Eagles camp in Abuja as he continues to recover from the knee injury that forced him to miss the last two months of the Premier League season.
Osimhen will, however, be one of the key players Jose Peseiro counts on as the head coach aims to grab his first win in charge of the three-time African champions.
