OWO CHURCH ATTACK: In some form of relief to the country, and especially the Christian community in Osun State, the Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, has said that those behind the Owo Catholic Church attack that claimed multiple lives have been arrested.
Basic Facts
- Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor has confirmed the arrest of those behind the Owo Catholic Church attack.
- He also said that the investigation of the arrested perpetrators is now ongoing following their arrest.
- The federal government had soon after the attack claimed that the terrorist group – Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) were responsible for the attack
What We Know
The Chief of Defence Staff in a media parley in Abuja this Tuesday, told newsmen that perpetrators of the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo shooting has been arrested.
According to the security chief, the arrested perpetrators would have been paraded today but for a change of mind he had, so as to allow investigation complete.
He however, assured that the killers will be paraded before the media on a later date. The arrested killers will be paraded before the media after investigation is completed.
Gen. Lucky Irabor who spoke at a meeting with editors and media executives noted that a lot has happened since the last meeting with the media editors and executives. He also acknowledged other significant terrorists attacks such as the Abuja attack against presidential guards and the Kuje prison jail break etc.
Notable Quotes
Speaking during the media briefing, the CDS 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.”
Catch-up
Clariform recalls that on June 5 this year, St. Francis Catholic Church Owo was attacked during a Sunday Service. The attack left at least 40 persons dead, while many more were injured.
The residents of Owo and local vigilantes believed that the attack would have been masterminded by herdsmen, bandits and ethnic militias who had for months and years inhabited their forest from where they carry out nefarious activities.
However, the federal Government, accused the Islamic States of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists as been behind the attack.
The government had characteristically promised to ensure the perpetrators didn’t go unpunished.
However, rather than abate, the country has witnessed more attacks after June 5th Owo attack. Some of these attacks were reported by Clariform news desk with the hashtag – “insecurity”.
Takeaway
No doubt this arrest is a welcome development, and might bring some confidence and reassurance to citizens who are already losing hope over the security challenges in the country.
Nonetheless, as reassuring as this announced arrest maybe, a successful prosecution and conviction of this workers of evil will be the only soothing balm on the injury for those bereaved as a result of the Owo Catholic Church attack.
Anything short of carrying out investigation to a logical conclusion to unearth and convict them may not deter other criminal elements.
Moreover, anything short of the above may not be more than a cold comfort, thus making this arrest not only incomplete in the pursuit of justice but also a wet blanket that rather than take the cold away, makes the user even more cold.
