By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
The Defence Headquarters says it has arrested the terrorists behind the massacre of worshippers at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owa-Luwa, Owo, Ondo State.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, made the disclosure during a parley with media executives at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja on Monday.
He said the criminals were arrested in collaboration with other security agencies.
Stonix News recalled that the terrorists attacked the Catholic Church during a Sunday Mass and opened fire on the worshippers, killing over 40 persons and injuring several.
Irabor, making the revelation, said the arrest was the result of an effective collaboration of the Nigerian military and other sister security agencies.
CDS Irabor further disclosed that one of the masterminds of the attack was Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, suggestively from the Igbirra stock.
“Omeiza is one of the masterminds of the 5th June attack of the Catholic Church in Owo as well as the attack on a police station in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State that led to the killing of a policeman as well as weapons carted away.”
He described the suspect as “one of the high profile ISWAP terrorists that escaped from Kuje correctional Centre.
“Idris Ojo wasn’t done with his previous activities, but was planning other deadly attacks along with his cronies before his arrest,” Irabor further noted.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has confirmed the arrest of the attackers of St Francis Catholic Church, Owo.
The governor confirmed the arrest shortly after the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor made the announcement in Abuja.
Akeredolu disclosed during a visit to his office by the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by the Chairman of the Council, Prince Leke Adegbite, shortly after General Irabor made the announcement in Abuja.
Governor Akeredolu also disclosed that the owner of the house where the attackers stayed before the June 5 attack in Owo has also been arrested.
He noted that government did not spare a moment in trailing the terrorists since the horrendous attacks on innocent worshipers at the church.
He, however, called on leaders of the Igbirra community in the state to warn their young ones not to foray into the kidnapping venture.
According to him, recent reports from victims of kidnap in the state have established that some Igbirra indigenes are now involved in the unwholesome act.
He noted that the Igbirra have lived together with the people of the state peacefully for several decades and they have always been supportive and hardworking.
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