The Ondo State Government has taken down a memorial park built by the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in remembrance of the victims of the 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo.
The monument, which bore the names of those killed and was situated in the town center, was reportedly demolished on the directive of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Confirming the development, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, told reporters that the decision followed complaints from the Olowo of Owo’s palace regarding the cenotaph’s location.
According to him, “It was a special request from the Olowo’s palace, as placing such a structure near the palace was considered culturally inappropriate.”
In the June 2022 attack, gunmen believed to be terrorists opened fire on worshippers during Mass, killing at least 40 and injuring many others.
To honour the victims, the late Akeredolu commissioned the construction of the memorial park in 2023. However, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, reportedly disapproved of the location directly across from his palace.
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