Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Baba has condemned the brutal murder of worshippers at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owaluwa in Owo, Ondo State.

A statement on Monday by Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi said the attack was carried out at about 11.30 am on Sunday.

Adejobi disclosed that preliminary investigations show that bombs were taken to the scene.

Police investigators who were part of the First Responders recovered pellets of expended AK-47 ammunition.

“The Explosive Ordnance Devices – Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Explosives (EOD-CBRNE) unit confirmed the use of Explosives as fragments of the IEDs used were found.

“After thorough sweeping of the scene, 3 unexploded IEDs were recovered at the scene of the incident”, the statement reads.

The police said some of the gunmen disguised as congregants, while others, who had positioned themselves around the premises, fired into the church.

They fled the scene using a Nissan Sunny car with Reg No. AKR 895 AG which was snatched from the owner, and escaped through Owo/Ute road.

The vehicle has been recovered, while the owner of the vehicle is assisting the police.

Baba has ordered full-scale investigations into the incident “in order to bring to book the perpetrators of the gruesome killing of the worshippers”.