Following the violent attack on worshippers at St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, has ordered the cancellation of this year’s June 12, Democracy Day event, in the state. 

Mr Akeredolu gave the order in a release, by his spokesman, Richard Olatunde, in Akure on Saturday. 

The governor said, “The cancellation is to enable the entire people of Ondo State to mourn their loved ones who lost their lives in the horrific attack.”

The government had earlier, on Monday, directed that flags in the state be flown at half-mast for seven days in honour of the victims of the terror attack.

Suspected terrorists had last week Sunday, open fire on parishioners, killing over 40 persons and injuring dozens of the attendance. 

The Nigerian government had also blamed the Islamic State’s West Africa Province, ISWAP, an offshoot of Boko Haram, as the violent group responsible for the massacre.

But Mr Akeredolu deemed the federal government’s position as “too hasty”.

The brutal attack drew wide condemnations from national and international organisations including eminent personalities.