The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Monday shared the details of how the terrorists that attacked a church in Owo carried out their operation.

The gunmen who attacked a Catholic church in Owo, Ondo state, escaped the scene of the incident using a stolen car, the police have said.

It was reported that gunmen suspected to be Fulani terrorists attacked St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, with over 50 killed and several others injured.

In a statement on Monday, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, said preliminary investigation by the police showed that some of the gunmen disguised as congregants, while others took different positions around the church before firing shots.

According to Adejobi, preliminary investigations indicate that bombs were brought to the scene.

He stated that the attack occurred around 11.30 a.m. on Sunday.

First responders, including police investigators, recovered pellets of expended AK-47 ammunition.

The statement reads: “The gunmen, from preliminary investigations, invaded the church with arms and materials suspected to be explosives.”

“Police investigators who were part of the first responders deployed to the scene have recovered pellets of expended AK-47 ammunition while 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 and, after thorough sweeping of the scene, 3 unexploded IEDs were recovered at the scene of the incident.

“Further investigations revealed that some of the gunmen disguised as congregants, while other armed men who had positioned themselves around the church premises from different directions, fired into the church. “

The assailants 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 currently assisting the police in its investigations.”