OWO MASSACRE: Amotekun arrests suspected attackers

The arrest of some suspects in connection with the terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church Owo, has been confirmed by the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed “Amotekun Corps”.

The suspected terrorists reportedly invaded the church on the 5th day of June, leaving no fewer than 40 people dead and many other worshippers injured fatally.

On Thursday, The state Commander of Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye, said some suspects had been arrested in connection with the Owo killing.

Adeleye stated this while parading 71 men arrested for various criminal activities across the state.

However, the actual figure of the suspected terrorists arrested was not disclosed but he expressed assurance that all who wreaked havoc on the church will be apprehended.

Speaking, the Amotekun boss said, “with regards to the Owo incident, we have recovered the last vehicle they used for that operation, made some arrests and also recovered some vital things which we are working on.

“A number of people have been arrested concerning the Owo issue as well as well number of equipment. On that day, we pursued them to the point that we recovered the vehicle and we are still pursuing them until we get to the root of the matter , I can assure you that the perpetrators and their sponsors will be brought to book.”

On the 71 suspected criminals that were paraded at the headquarters of the command in Akure, the state capital, Adeleye explained that the suspects were apprehended within the last one month for various offenses ranging from armed robbery, cattle rustling, kidnapping, rape, fraudulent activities and human trafficking.

“The 71 suspects were picked while committing offenses and others were tracked to their hideouts in the forests” he said, “We have been able to get a cartel that specialises in stealing and dismantling motorbikes(Okada). Also, we were able to recover over 50 motorcycles during the operation from these criminals.

“We also got reports from some herdsmen that their cattle had been stolen. We went after them and recovered the cows, giving them back to the Fulani herdsmen. We have a group of small boys who are under 18-year old that turned themselves into a cartel of criminals in a particular local government in Ondo State and armed themselves. They actually belong to a cult group called ‘Agbado’. We were able to arrest 12 out of the 17 members.

“We have about three to four suspected kidnappers and we intend to take most of these suspects, especially the ones we have concluded their investigations to the DPP and for their onward prosecution in court.”

The state Commander assured the people of Ondo state that the Amotekun corps would not rest on its oars until it rids the state of criminal elements. He went further to say, that for the criminals there is no hiding place “They turned the heat on us and we have also turned the heat on them.”