Akeredolu confirms arrest of five Owo massacre suspects by the Military

Abiodun OBA

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has confirmed the arrest of five of the killers of worshippers at St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo state.

The Ondo State Governor confirmed this in Akure on Tuesday.

He said “I can confirm what the CDS has said. They were arrested last week and the photographs of the suspects were forwarded to me.

“About five of them have been arrested while they’re on the trail of others.”

Earlier, the military high command had confirmed the arrest of Owo catholic church bombers.

The arrest, according to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor was made possible by joint operations of all the security agencies.

The CDS, who listed their names noted that the suspects, who are members of Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) are in custody.

Recall that 40 people were killed when the gunmen stormed the church on June 5, opened fire on the congregation, and also detonated explosives as the worshippers scampered for safety.

Operatives of Amotekun Corps in Ondo State had earlier claimed they also arrested some suspects in connection with the killings

Briefing journalists in Akure on June 23, the state Commander of Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye, expressed assurance that all the attackers of the worship centre would be apprehended.

Adeleye, however, did not give the actual figure of the suspected terrorists arrested.

“As regards the Owo incident, we have recovered the last vehicle they used for that operation and we made some arrests and we have also recovered some vital things which we are working on,” he said.

“A number of people have been arrested concerning the Owo issue as well as a well number of equipment. On that day, we pursued them to the point that we recovered the vehicle and we are still pursuing them We have told you that until we get to the root, I can assure you that the perpetrators and their sponsors will be brought to book.”