Akeredolu reacts to FG’s claim that ISWAP terrorists attacked Owo Catholic Church

Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, poured cold water on claims by the federal government that extremist group ISWAP is responsible for the massacre of Catholic worshippers in the state last Sunday.

No fewer than 40 people died and dozens injured when the unmarked assailants opened fire on the congregants at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo.

“Owo Killings, ISWAP Terrorist? What evidence. Too Hasty,” Mr Akeredolu said in an apparent response to the federal government’s Thursday assertion.

The Federal government had, on Thursday afternoon, blamed the Islamic fighters for the attack on the worshippers.

Interior minister Rauf Aregbesola disclosed this to reporters shortly after the national security council meeting held in Abuja.

The Islamic State of West Africa Province, an offshoot of Boko Haram predominant in Nigeria’s North-East where they have carried out brutal attacks for over a decade. It is not immediately clear why the extremists group would seep into the South-West to carry out attacks.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Meanwhile, residents of Owo stormed the palace of their traditional ruler, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, on Thursday evening, after news went viral that the perpetrators of the deadly attack had been nabbed by security forces.

In a footage, Mr Ogunoye was seen speaking in a local dialect confirming the arrest of some suspects.

However, newsmen could not independently verify the claims of the arrest.