Owo Massacre: Your claim on ISWAP, too hasty – Akeredolu tells Federal Government
Owo Massacre: Your claim on ISWAP, too hasty – Akeredolu tells Federal Government
Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Ondo State, has said that the Federal Government’s claim that the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) was responsible for the attack on St Francis Catholic Church in Owo on Sunday was premature.
He did, however, promise that the government would do everything possible to prevent another terrorist attack.
Governor Akeredolu noted that the conclusion should be treated with caution, adding that ISWAP is known for claiming responsibility for its attacks.
The Governor, who strongly condemned the attack in its entirety, stressed the importance of getting to the bottom of the problem rather than jumping into conclusion on those responsible for the massacre.
He said ”The statement by the Federal Government is too hasty. I take their conclusion with a pinch of salt. ISWAP doesn’t hide its attack. If they have done it, they would have owned up. We are yet to know their identity and our security people are still on their trail.”
Governor Akeredolu, who described the incident as a “crime against humanity,” emphasized that the South West region has previously been a quiet refuge before the attack.
Despite the attack on the psychology of the people, he continued that the people of the state are resilient and ready to combat insecurity.
The Governor also emphasized on the call for state police, saying that the time is now for them.
He stated emphatically that the country’s current security architecture is incapable of providing adequate protection for the lives of people and their properties
“A single police command can not guarantee safety in this country. We must have state police now. We are doing our best with Amotekun. But Amotekun is suffering a lot of limitations in getting all the equipments needed to fight these criminals.
The Governor praised the international community for their swift reactions on the killings in Owo, claiming it was unprecedented.
He also revealed that the government is determined to assist the vctims of the attack, especially those who lost their loved ones and those still undergoing treatment in the hospital.
Chief Adeleye, the commander of the state security network otherwise known as Operation Amotekun, also assured that his men would ensure that the perpetrators of the evil act are brought to book in no distant time.
He stated that Amotekun operatives are already working in all the nooks and crannies of the state to flush out criminals from the state.
According to Adeleye who is also the chairman of Amotekun Commanders in the South West, efforts are being made to secure all the states of the South West region from terrorist attack.
He added that will from now be secured more, just as he called on the people to report any strange movement to the agency.
