The suspected terrorists who are believed to be responsible for the attack on the St. Fracis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, have been detained, according to Chief of Defence Staff General Lucky Irabor.
During a media discussion with media professionals on Tuesday at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja, the defense chief made this statement.
Despite the fact that Irabor omitted to give specifics of the arrests, he said that the military and other security services worked together to capture the terrorists.
He claimed that while attempting to assure the release of the kidnapped Kaduna Train assault victims, the military had also slain several bandits terrorizing the nation.
He said, “Within the last time we met, we have recorded remarkable achievement. 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 man and women of the armed forces to present them in a form and shape that make it to 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 will like to say that in due course, the world will see them and others who are behind other daring attacks in the country.”
Recall that during the attack on the church on June 7th, over 40 people—including children—were brutally slain and over 61 others suffered significant injuries.
Days later, the National Security Council (NSC) reported that it had linked the terrorist organization Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) to the attack, but the organization has not yet claimed responsibility as it typically does.