Amotekun, the code name for the Ondo State security unit, gave an explanation yesterday for why it is holding comprehensive information on the suspects detained in connection with the terrorist attack on the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo.

Over 100 worshippers suffered significant injuries from the attack, and no less than 50 were brutally slain.

Vanguard in Akure was informed by a trustworthy source that the security company was still profiling the individuals who had been apprehended.

According to a source who requested anonymity, information regarding the arrests was kept under wraps in accordance with government directives and to avoid jeopardising the investigation.

He did not, however, want to be drawn into a debate about the police’s denial of any arrest.

The source also declined to disclose how many people the state Amotekun had detained.

You may recall that the Nigeria Police Force, or NPF, disproved the report of the assailants’ capture.

While providing an update on the gunmen’s capture, Police Public Relations Officer CSP Muyiwa Adejobi stated that none of the Owo massacre perpetrators had been apprehended.

A source in Amotekun, however, claimed that the profiling of individuals who had been detained will soon be finished.

I want to reassure you that anyone detained by the security outfit would be paraded following a complete profiling by the security outfit leadership and our detectives, the source added.

The fact that no one has been detained despite the commotion is amusing. We will make it public after our inquiry is complete.

When we are committed to find their sponsors and expose the suspects to the world, the suspects cannot be paraded at this time.

At the time this report was being filled out, Chef Adeleye, the state commander of Amotekun, was still in a meeting.

We’re still in shock over attack —Police

The St. Francis Catholic Church was the target of a terrorist attack in the Owo neighbourhood of Ondo State, the Nigerian Police Force declared Wednesday.

Yunus Akeera, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 17, which includes the Ondo and Ekiti Commands, made this statement while paying a visit to Oba Ajibade Ogunye, the Olowo of Owo.

Akeera said in response to the attack that those who killed worshipers had no regard for human life.

He apologised to the town’s residents for the terrorist assault on June 5 and assured them that the police will work with them to prevent a repeat.

We’re wondering what motivated these terrible individuals to disrupt the Owo kingdom in this manner, he stated.

“Up till now, we are yet to get out of the shock because what is pondering in my mind and my heart is that what must have pushed these people to come this far because Owo, as a kingdom, is noted for its education and peaceful coexistence.

“The Inspector-General of Police and his team are not happy about it.

“I’m reassuring you that as police officers, we will work ourselves tirelessly to ensure that we get to the bottom of this issue. We will be very proactive and pragmatic about it so that this thing will not happen again.”

Oba Ogunoye complained in his reply that Owo police lacked both working cars and sufficient staff.

The king remarked: “It is incomprehensible why those people would go to such lengths. They are neither Muslims nor Christians. They are not human beings, as I frequently assert, and they are not deserving of human life.

“I know that very soon the full wrath of the law will catch up with them. I know that Nigeria Police is very professional and when they set out to do an assignment, the results will be so certain.

“The major challenges facing police operations in Owo are lack of vehicles and personnel.

“They don’t have vehicles to mobilise to the crime scene and for quick movement. Also, the number of personnel here is inadequate because Owo is a big city.”

Owo Massacre – Why Amotekun has not yet displayed the detained suspects

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