Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu on Saturday, announced the cancellation of this year’s Democracy Day celebration in the state in honour of those who lost their lives during attack on worshippers at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, on Sunday.

In a series of tweets on his Twitter handle on Saturday,  Akeredolu said  the cancellation was to allow Owo people in Ondo mourn the deceased.

“In honour of the victims of the terror attack at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, the Ondo State Government has canceled this year’s June 12 celebration.

“The cancelation is to enable the people of Owo in Ondo State mourn their loved ones who lost their lives in the horrific attack”,  Akeredolu tweeted on Saturday.

The State Government had in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, put  the number of victims at 127 and 40 onfirmed dead.

The Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Jude Arogundade, had earlier said the church recorded 38 deaths.

“The situation report as at 12 midnight, on Tuesday 7/6/22 at St. Louis Hospital, Owo, 39 people were involved and 13 deaths (confirmed). At the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, a total number of persons involved is 84 and number of corpses in the FMC mortuary is 25; female, 17, and eight males”,  Ajaka said in a statement.