Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Gani Adams, said the disclosure through investigation by the Federal Government that Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists masterminded the last Sunday’s attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, in Owo, Ondo State, corroborated the alarm raised by South West Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG) about five weeks ago that some insurgents had invaded the South-West region of the country.
Adams, however, expressed regret that the alarm raised was ignored by the state governors in the South-West geo-political zone.
SSSG, which Adams said is a key stakeholder, comprise of other security groups like the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Agbekoya, Vigilante, Isokan Oodua, COMSAIC and others.
He added that he also suspected that the church attack was carried out by an international organisation, describing it as “a highly coordinated attack”.
He stated that pressure was being mounted on the South-West governors to ensure they tackle the spate of insecurity in the region.
It would be recalled that the terrorists, on June 5, attacked St. Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa Street, Owo, during church service.
40 of the 127 persons in the church were killed, leaving 87 survivors out of which 61 are currently on admission in different hospitals and 26 already discharged.
Speaking on the incident, Adams, who is the coordinator of SSSG, said: “Well, I suspect it was an attack by an international organization. It was a highly coordinated attack.
“This is the first time we are witnessing this type of attack in Yoruba land. We have seen different attacks perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen, however, the Owo church attack sounded unusual.
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“The information at our disposal indicated that the attackers were about seven in number and they came with explosives that were allegedly planted under the Alter of the church.
“And immediately the bomb exploded, it was a horror as worshippers were scampering for their lives and at the same time, the attackers were shooting sporadically.
“So far, according to the state government, 38 people were killed while about 64 others were still at the hospital. We pray not to have more casualties.
“This attack is highly condemnable. Any right-thinking person will condemn it totally.
“However, on the Owo church attack, the SSSG raised the alarm about five weeks ago that some terrorists have invaded the South-West, but unfortunately none of the state governors really addressed the issues. So, what led to the Owo attack was premeditated.
“The information we had earlier was that some terrorists have invaded a very close forest in Owo.
“These terrorists, according to our information, have their food being supplied to them via helicopter, and the Olowo, who is the traditional ruler of the ancient town, even the state government could not flush them out of the thick forest
“So, that tells you that they have occupied the bush to perpetrate their calculated killings,” he said.
Gani Adams, therefore, urged the “government, particularly, our governors in the South-West to brace up against these terrorists.”
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