Some of those suspected to have carried out the June 5, 2022 deadly terror attacks at St. Francis Catholic in Owo, Ondo State, where over 40 worshippers were gruesomely massacred, have been arrested.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, who made this known on Tuesday, said those behind the attacks have been taken into custody and are already being questioned.
The State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), also confirmed the arrest, saying that five of the suspected attackers are being investigated on matters that bordered on the incident.
The gunmen, who the Federal Government earlier identified as members of the Islamic States of West Africa Province (ISWAP), had stormed the Church on Sunday, June 5, killing no fewer than 40 worshippers.
The Chief of Defence Staff confirmed the arrest during a meeting with editors and media executives in Abuja on Tuesday, saying that the suspects would be paraded after investigations had been concluded.
He said: “Within the last time we met, we recorded remarkable achievements. Let me bring it to your notice that within the same period, there have been ignoble actions of men of the underworld that have impinged on our collective well-being, namely the unfortunate train attack, the attack on Kuje correctional center as well as what has been reported in the past the attack on the presidential convoy.
“Also, the Owo incident which was intended to bring men and women of the armed forces to present them in a form and shape that made it look as if the nation is on a siege, we have arrested those behind the dastardly act in Owo.
“It was my intention to present them to the public, but because of the investigation still going on, I had to change my mind. I would like to say that in due course, the world will see them and others who are behind other daring attacks in the country.”
Akeredolu made his own confirmation when the leadership of the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by its Chairman, Leke Adegbite, paid him a courtesy call, noting that government did not spare a moment in trailing the terrorists since the incident happened.
The governor noted: “now that the military has announced it, I can tell you that five of them have been arrested now. They are still on the trail of the rest. The home where they lodged in Owo and the person that accommodated them before the attack, has also been arrested.
“We did not spare a moment. I am happy that the Chief of Defence Staff has announced it. We have known for a while but we needed not to come out with it because more work is still ongoing. I can confirm that this arrest has been made. And they are still on the trail of some of them”, the governor said.
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