The Federal Government of Nigeria has identified those who are likely to be behind the Sunday gunmen’s attack on worshippers at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State. The government identified the Islamic State, West African Province (ISWAP) as being responsible for the attack at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State that led to death of about 60 persons last Sunday.
Briefing newsmen at the end of the National Security Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, said security agencies were already on the trail of the culprits.
While noting that their imprints have been ascertained in the attack, he, however, said the authorities have so far made no arrests.
Ogbeni Aregbesola, joined by the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman, dispelled insinuations of ethnic-religious connection in the attack, affirming that the group’s activity has nothing to do with Islam. He also said there was no ethnic agenda in the attack, urging Nigerians to unite and defeat terrorism in the country.
The minister added that the Council expressed concern about killings in the name of blasphemy and consequently directed security agencies to go after perpetrators of the separate incidents in Sokoto State and Abuja recently.
Aregbesola said the motive of the terror group is to pitch Nigerians against one another and make it appear as ethno-religious war.
“The Council is concerned about the violent attack in Owo and have been able to locate the perpetrators of that horrendous attack. From all indications, we are zeroing in on ISWAP.
“It is not an ethno-religious thing, the animals in ISWAP, wanting attention and recognition, are suspected to have launched that attack. We have directed all the agencies concerned to go after them and bring them to justice,” he said.
Also responding to the recent kidnap and release of the Methodist Church Prelate, Samuel Kanu-Uche, the IGP said no arrest had been made, but added that the incident was being investigated by the authorities.
“We have leads, we have some issues we are still following through on how the ransom was collected and how the negotiations were done. We have information to that effect and we’re getting into the real aspect of arresting the suspects.”
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