The Ondo State Government has demolished a memorial park built by former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to honour the victims of the 2022 terrorist attack on St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo.
The demolition was ordered by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, citing complaints from the palace that the cenotaph’s location was against the town’s culture and tradition.
The Chief Press Secretary to Aiyedatiwa, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, confirmed the demolition of the monument to newsmen.
“It was a special request from the palace of the Olowo as it is said to be against the culture and tradition to site such near the palace, ” he said.
In June 2022, armed men suspected to be terrorists brutally killed over 40 worshippers during an early morning Mass at the church.
The late Governor Akeredolu constructed the memorial park in 2023 to honour the victims, despite objections from the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye.
The Olowo-in-Council claimed it warned the former governor’s administration against building the memorial park near the palace, citing cultural and traditional concerns.
The palace said the demolition has been welcomed by the Owo people, who agree that the monument’s location was not in line with their traditions.
