Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Church Massacre: Death toll rises as Akeredolu amends Amotekun law

According to Ms Ademola-Olateju, the number of fatalities has risen to 41 while 17 persons are still in the hospital.

• July 14, 2022
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and Amotekun Corps
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and Amotekun Corps

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has signed into law the first amendment to the Ondo State Security Network Agency Law code named Amotekun as another victim of the St Francis Catholic Church, Owo dies, with 17 others battling for life in the hospital.

Mr Akeredolu, who assented to the bill at the State Executive Chamber of his office, noted that the new amendment became imperative due to worsening insecurity in Odno.

The governor assured that the amended law would enhance the security architecture of the state and help the Amotekun Corps to perform better.

He lauded the House of Assembly for the quick passage of the bill.

At the end of the council meeting, information commissioner Bamidele Ademola-Olateju announced that one more death was recorded resulting from the June 5 terror attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo.

According to Ms Ademola-Olateju, the number of fatalities has risen to 41 while 17 persons are still in the hospital. While commiserating with the bereaved families and praying for speedy recovery of those hospitalised, the commissioner restated the government’s commitment to having a memorial site built in honour of the victims.

Also at the briefing, the special adviser to the governor on security, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, said the amended Amotekun law would scale up the operational capacity of the security outfit, disclosing that the government had purchased new vehicles for Amotekun operatives, including the SSS, police, NSCDC and the Nigerian Army.

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Pete Hegseth

Heading 1

U.S. has spent $37.5 billion on Iran war: Hegseth

“The estimate we have as of today is $37.5 billion,” Mr Hegseth said.

Toba Ajiboye

Lagos

Slain Lagos NURTW organising secretary buried amid tears

Mr Ajiboye died days after he was attacked by gunmen.

Migrants' boat

Africa

144 refugees, migrants dead, missing off Mauritania coast: UNHCR

“The refugees and migrants were reported dead or missing after attempting the perilous sea journey from West Africa towards Europe,” the agency said.

Daniel Ortega and Marco Rubio

World

U.S. govt condemns Ortega’s ban on elections in Nicaragua 

Mr Rubio urged the international community to rise against Mr Ortega’s dictatorship.

Oleksandr Syrskyi

World

Zelensky sacks Ukraine’s top general after firing defence minister

Mr Syrskyi’s dismissal came days after Mr Zelensky fired Ukraine’s defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, a decision that sparked protests across the country.

OIL AND GAS FACILITY

Heading 1

FG awards 37 oil, gas blocks to 31 firms

A total of 143 companies submitted 200 bids for 37 of the 50 oil and gas blocks originally put on offer.