The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has condemned the attack on innocent worshippers in Owo, Ondo State on Sunday.
President General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar described the attack as a crime not only against humanity but also a grievous and inexplicable sin.
Gunmen on Sunday stormed St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo-State and killed over 50 worshipers, while several others sustained gunshot injuries.
In a statement signed by the Director of Administration, Arc. Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu, the Sultan of Sokoto called on governments at all levels to pursue and issue an ultimatum for the security agencies to unravel the identity of the perpetrators.
Condemning the attack, the apex Muslim leader in Nigeria said the perpetrators violated the sanctity of not only life but also religion.
“All peoples of faith should take this attack as a direct attack on all law-abiding citizens and should therefore be in the vanguard to halt the evil that appears to be assailing the life, property and integrity of humanity, particularly believers in God, he said.
He, however, called on security agents to help in rescuing the helpless citizens “that we have all become,” and to heed the Qur’anic call that: “…For had it not been that God checks one set of people by means of another; monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, wherein the name of God is persistently mentioned would surely have been pulled down. Verily, God will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, God is All-Strong, All-Mighty. (Q 22: 40).”
Sultan of Sokoto announced that the Council stands in absolute solidarity with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Catholic community, the government and the people of Ondo State and commiserates with the families of the victims.