From Jimoh Ahmed
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Shops, courts, banks and markets were closed in Owo as women in the town trooped out yesterday to protest over Sunday’s massacre of worshippers.
They were led by the Iyaloja of the own, Chief Mrs Iwaloye and condemned the dastardly act.
The women who marched through major streets in the town called for the arrest of the gunmen and security of lives in the town.
The women visited the seven traditional and revered sites in the town where they placed curses on the attackers.
The women who chanted unprintable expletives on their way to the shrines also visited the Saint Francis Catholic Church, scene of the murderous act to condole the priest where the laity of the church said the perpetrators will not go unpunished by God, for defiling His house.
Addressing the women who later visited him, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye assured them that the attackers have already been cursed for violating the house of God and assured that they will be brought to book.
Oba Ogunoye appealed to his people not to vent their anger on innocent people assuring that measures have been taken to ensure that the perpetrators were arrested.
He appealed to the women to keep their wards from criminal tendencies and to stay away from violence.
Our correspondent who visited the town observed that at the Ulede market, popularly called Oja Oba, few traders were seen standing at their stalls, while they covered their wares in order to ensure a speedy escape in case of any eventuality.
Most streets were deserted as people remained indoors while only few were out with eagle eyes and their ears to the ground.
Meanwhile, the hunt for the perpetrators of the dastard act is on the high as surveillance helicopter of security agents was seen hovering over the town.
Speaking with our reporter, a resident, Mrs. Titilayo Adeniyi, said people were not coming out for fear of another possible attack by the gunmen.
Adeniyi said that there were speculations going round that the attackers were still around as they have surrounded the whole town and strike anytime.
Another resident, Bayo Akinola, disclosed that the people of the town could no longer sleep because there were rumours that the attackers were planning to strike again.
The duo appealed to government to ensure more security personnel are stationed at strategic areas and roads leading to the town.
In another development, sources at the Saint Francis church said the church plans to give those who died in the attack a mass burial.
However, the source could not ascertain when this will take place.
