By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
A cenotaph built and dedicated to the victims of the deadly 2022 St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church massacre in Owo, headquarters of Owo Local Council Area of Ondo State, has been demolished by the state government.
The demolition of the memorial park over the weekend has gone viral in the state, with a bulldozer captured tearing down the cenotaph inscribed with the names of the victims of the attack.
The memorial park, which was constructed directly opposite the palace of the Olowo of Owo by the late former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, sparked mixed reactions among indigenes of the town who described it as a taboo.
The park was built to immortalise the over 40 worshippers killed and scores more injured when armed assailants attacked the church during a morning mass on June 5, 2022.
With the horrifying attack drawing widespread condemnation within and outside the country, the late Akeredolu announced the construction of the memorial park in 2023, stressing that the move was to symbolically honour the victims and serve as a permanent reminder of the tragedy.
However, the location of the park, which is situated at the centre of the ancient town and directly opposite the Olowo’s palace, sparked controversy, particularly among indigenes of Owo and culture enthusiasts.
The indigenes had described the siting of a monument commemorating death so close to the palace as a profound violation of Yoruba culture and tradition, labelling it a sacrilege, which was followed by repeated calls on the state government under the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to relocate the cenotaph.
Confirming the demolition, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the decision was taken following complaints from the palace of the Olowo of Owo.
He said, “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.”
Adeniyan disclosed that the state government will build another one in a different location soon.