…Says no bodies were buried at the cenotaph
Former Chief Press Secretary to the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Mr. Richard Olatunde, has clarified that the memorial park built to honour victims of the June 5, 2022, Owo church massacre was established only after due consultation with the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, and his council of chiefs.
Olatunde made the clarification in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Sunday, in response to widespread reactions trailing the demolition of the cenotaph by the Ondo State Government.
According to him, the late Governor Akeredolu held a high-level consultative meeting with the Olowo and Owo political leaders before the project commenced, during which he presented his vision for the park and obtained the monarch’s express approval.
The former CPS stated that Akeredolu made it clear during the meeting that no corpses would be interred at the site, and even offered to relocate the park if the palace objected to the proposed location.
“The late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, convened a meeting with the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, his chiefs, and political appointees from Owo, where he outlined his vision for the park. He explicitly stated that no corpses would be buried there and sought the Olowo’s approval,” Olatunde wrote.
“He also offered an alternative: if the Olowo was not comfortable with the proposed location, the park could be relocated to Ijebu-Owo or other areas in the town. The Olowo and his chiefs agreed to the chosen site. I was present at that meeting,” he added.
The park, which stood as a cenotaph in honour of worshippers killed in the terror attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, had become a solemn symbol of remembrance before its demolition earlier this week.
Government officials have since claimed that the park’s proximity to the palace and the presence of burial elements led to its removal, reportedly at the request of the Olowo-in-Council. However, the palace has yet to issue an official statement confirming or denying the claim.
Olatunde stressed that contrary to speculation, no victims were buried at the park, describing it as a place of reflection and honour for the departed.
“The park was constructed to celebrate the lives and memories of the departed souls. Not a single body was interred there,” he clarified.
He also expressed disappointment over political undertones being introduced into the matter, asserting that Akeredolu’s actions were motivated purely by compassion and responsibility.
“The late Governor Akeredolu responded to the tragedy of June 5, 2022, with courage and resolve. He did what any responsible and responsive leader would do anywhere in the world,” Olatunde wrote. “This demolition cannot erase his gallant efforts.”
He warned that the removal of the memorial park could reopen deep wounds for grieving families and called for greater sensitivity in handling issues relating to the tragedy.
“Given the sensitive nature of the June 5, 2022, massacre, the government should have exercised greater caution in demolishing the park. This action will undoubtedly reopen wounds in the hearts of the victims’ families.”
The Owo massacre, which drew both national and international outrage, left dozens dead and many injured. The memorial park had served as a physical space for remembrance and solidarity.
Olatunde concluded his message by paying tribute to the victims, describing them as martyrs who died while serving God.
“We will continue to remember the victims of the Owo massacre. They are martyrs who died serving God. May God continue to grant their souls eternal repose.”
