FG says ISWAP responsible for Owo Church Massacre; US condoles Gov. Akeredolu over Owo Church attack

The National Security Council says the Islamic State, West African Province (ISWAP) is responsible for the attack on Worshippers at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, that led to the death of 40 people, leaving many others injured. Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola revealed this to journalists at the state House after attending the National security council meeting held at the council chambers of the presidential villa in Abuja.

The minister says the attack has no ethnic-religious connection as he insists the group’s activity has nothing to do with religion.

The national security council is also concerned about killings in the name of blasphemy and has directed the security agencies to go after perpetrators of both incidents that occurred in Sokoto State and Abuja recently.

The Inspector-General of Police Alkali Baba Usman also announced the readiness of the police in securing the June 18 Ekiti Governorship election, he also said additional 10,000 police officers will graduate next month and will be added to the security architecture immediately.

Many Nigerians had condemned the attack and subsequent massacre of innocent worshippers at the Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo on Sunday.

This attribution of responsibility by the National Security Council to ISWAP is a major setback for the nations’ security and one that will have security agencies on their toes.

Owo is located in Ondo State a prt of the Southwest which had remained relatively peaceful since the increasing level of killings, attacks and abduction started spreading to Other states outside of the initially affected States of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe.

Despite the Federal Government’s attribution of responsibility, ISWAP has not claimed responsibility for the attack.

The police in Ondo State police command have faulted a media report that the attack on Sabo community was a reprisal attack

According to a statement issued by the spokesperson of the state police command, Funmilayo Odunlami, the attack on Sabo community is a clear case of armed robbery.

She said it is disheartening that the peddlers of the fake news did not confirm the story before spreading the falsehood.

She said the victims involved in the failed robbery attack are from Yoruba, Igbo, and Northern extraction

The statement added, “The attention of the Ondo State Police Command has been drawn to a fake news being peddled by some mischief makers to cause panic, tension, and strife in the State.

“The Command wishes to state clearly that there was no reprisal attack on the Hausa Community at Sabo area in Ondo town or any part of the state as purported by these warmongers.

“On Tuesday, 7th of June, 2022, there was an attempted robbery on a J5 vehicle with plate no MKA – 469 YJ carrying Onions and Potatoes coming from Zaria Enroute Ore, had a stopover at Ondo town and was attacked by men of the underworld around 0110hrs”

Reports of an attack on the Sabo area of Ondo town had circulated early on Thursday morning on another attack just a few days after the Owo incidence.

Meanwhile, the United States of America has expressed its condolences to Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, following the terror attack at St. Francis Catholic Church on Owaluwa Street in Owo on Sunday.

Out of the 127 people involved in the incident, 40 were murdered, leaving 61 survivors who are being treated in various hospitals and 26 who have already been released.

The United States offered its profound sympathies to the people of Ondo State and the Owo community in a letter to Governor Akeredolu dated June 7, 2022, and signed by the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard.

The USA condemned the assault in the strongest terms while expressing its concern over the growing pattern of violence that afflicts communities across Nigeria.

The letter reads: ”On behalf of the United States and the staff of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to you, Ondo State, and the Owo community for the horrific event and lives lost at the St. Francis Catholic Church on Sunday, June 5.

“This tragedy saddens us deeply and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families during this difficult time.

“The United States condemns this attack in the strongest terms, and we are concerned with the growing pattern of violence that afflicts communities across Nigeria.

“We remain steadfast in our efforts to support Nigeria in enhancing civilian security throughout the country.