- Says No Arrest Yet On Attackers, Kidnappers of Methodist Prelate
The Nigerian Government on Thursday said it has fingered the workings of a terrorist organisation — the Islamic State of West African Province, (ISWAP) — in the pattern of attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, in Ondo state last Sunday.
The attack by terrorists on the Church has sent as much as 38 worshippers to their early graves as scores are still receiving treatment at various healthcare facilities in Ondo state.
While briefing State House correspondents at the end of Security Council meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed that the Owo Catholic Church attack was perpetrated by criminals who have international inclination.
Aregbesola who said that no arrest has been made, disclosed that the security agencies had been directed to go after the perpetrators of the dastardly act and bring them to justice, adding that the security was now zeroing in on them.
“Council is quite concerned about the violent attack in Ondo state and we have been able to locate the perpetrators, we have zeroed it that ISWAP did it, the animals in ISWAP wanting attention are responsible, we have asked security personnel to go after them and bring them to justice,” Aregbesola said.
The government also admitted that no arrest has been made on the kidnap of the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Samuel Kanu-Uche and two other priests.
Kanu-Uche was kidnapped while returning from a programme in Abia state alongside his chaplain, Abidemi Shittu and the Church’s Owerri Bishop, Dennis Okechukwu.
The clerics were released nearly two days later after paying N100 million to the kidnappers.
Speaking on their kidnap, the Minister said there has been a lead, noting that the security was still looking for the suspects and how the ransom was paid.
The Nigerian government also claimed that the attacks have no ethnic-religious connection.
According to Aregbesola, the motive of the terror group is believed to be pitching Nigerians against one another to trigger ethno-religious conflict.
The minister stated that the council is also concerned about the gruesome 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.
He added that enough security arrangement has been made for the Ekiti State gubernatorial election taking place on June 18, 2022.
