OWO CHURCH ATTACK: ISWAP RESPONSIBLE FOR MASSACRE IN ONDO – NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
The National Security Council announced on Thursday that the Islamic State’s West African Province was behind the devastating attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, on Sunday, June 5, 2022, inĀ which over 25 people lost their lives.
Rauf Aregbesola, the Minister of Interior, told State House media thisĀ shortly after the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd. ), presided over a three-hour council meeting at the State House, Abuja.
Security agencies are closing in on the criminals through their tracks, according to Aregbesola, who spoke alongside the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba.
According to him, the council is concerned about a recent series of blasphemy-related killings and has ordered security officers to track down those responsible for the murder of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto State and another instance in Abuja.
He did point out, however, that no one has been apprehended for the incident since Sunday.
The minister also debunked claims that the attack was motivated by ethnic or religious motives.
Those who attended the security meeting were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari and the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd.).
General Lucky Irabor, Chief of Defense Staff; Lt. Gen Farouk Yahaya, Chief of Army Staff; Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air Marshal Isiaka Amao, Chief of Air Staff, were also present.
Alkali Usman, the Inspector-General of Police, Yusuf Bichi, the Director-General of the Department of State Service, and Ahmed Abubakar, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, were also in attendance.