The Ondo State Government has controversially demolished the memorial park erected in honor of the victims of the horrific June 5, 2022, terrorist attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo. The park, a solemn tribute to the more than 40 worshippers who lost their lives in the brutal assault, was commissioned by the immediate past governor, the late Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu.
The demolition, carried out today, has sparked questions and concerns among residents and relatives of the victims. While the state government has yet to issue an official statement detailing the reasons behind the action, sources suggest it could be related to ongoing urban renewal plans or a desire to relocate the memorial to a more suitable, perhaps larger or less traffic-prone, location. However, the lack of prior public consultation or announcement regarding the demolition has drawn criticism.
The St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church attack remains a deeply painful memory for the people of Owo and indeed, all of Ondo State and Nigeria. On that tragic Pentecost Sunday, gunmen stormed the church during Mass, opening fire indiscriminately and detonating explosives, leaving a trail of death and devastation. The incident sent shockwaves across the nation and garnered international condemnation, highlighting the growing insecurity challenges in the country.
Former Governor Akeredolu, who hailed from Owo, had personally championed the establishment of the memorial park as a permanent reminder of the lives lost and a symbol of the community’s resilience in the face of terror. Its construction was seen as a significant gesture of remembrance and a commitment to ensuring that the victims would not be forgotten.
The current Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who assumed office following Akeredolu’s passing, now faces scrutiny over this decision. The demolition raises questions about the continuity of projects initiated by previous administrations, especially those with such profound emotional and communal significance.
Families of the victims and community leaders are expected to react to the development in the coming days. Many will be seeking clarity on why a memorial, intended to provide solace and a place for reflection, was removed, and what alternative arrangements, if any, are being made to honor those who perished in the tragic attack.
The incident underscores the delicate balance between urban development, government transitions and the preservation of collective memory in the aftermath of a national tragedy.
By: Eugene Upah
