We’ve arrested Owo Catholic Church attackers – Ondo Amotekun

The Ondo State security network agency, Amotekun Corps, says it has arrested some people it suspects of carrying out the terror attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo.

The commander of the corps in the state, Adetunji Adeleye, said the suspects were arrested in collaboration with other security agencies and they were still on the trail of other perpetrators.

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No fewer than 40 people were killed in the attack, while many others were injured.

Adeleye said some weapons and the getaway vehicle used by the terrorists before they entered the bush had been recovered.

“A number of people have been arrested concerning the Owo issue as well as a number of equipment.

“On that day, we pursued them to the point that we recovered the vehicle and we are still pursuing them. We have told you that until we get to the root, I can assure you that the perpetrators and their sponsors will be brought to book,” he said.

The Amotekun boss, who paraded 71 suspects for various offences such as armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, cattle rustling and human trafficking, however, did not give the number of those arrested in connection with the Owo attack.

He also did not reveal their identities to the press.

He said the public would be informed upon the conclusion of investigations.

Adeleye explained that the suspects paraded were arrested in the last one month; some at the scene of crime and others trailed to their hideouts.

He assured that the state would no longer be a safe haven for criminals.

He appealed to the people of the state, especially those in the border towns of Akoko and Owo-Ose axis, to remain calm and support the security men to rid the forests of criminals.

However, when contacted for official reaction on the arrest of the suspects in connection with the Owo church attack, the spokesperson for the police in Ondo State, Funmi Odunlami, simply said, “The police do not have that kind of story.”