BREAKING: Owo Church Massacre: The Perpetrators Arrested – Defence Chief, Irabor

The Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor, on Tuesday said those behind the Owo attack have been arrested.

Irabor stated this during a meeting with editors and media executives in Abuja.

According to him, the suspects would be paraded after an investigation has been concluded into the matter.

“We have arrested those behind the dastardly act in Owo.

“It was my intention to present them to the public, but because of the investigation still going on, I had to change my mind.” Said Irabor.

The Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Tuesday also confirmed the arrest of five suspected killers of over 40 worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo on June 5.

During a courtesy visit to the office of the Governor of Ondo State, by the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council. Governor Akeredolu confirmed the news to the journalists who were led by the Chairman of the union, Prince Leke Adegbite.

"I can tell you that five of them have been arrested now. The security agencies are still on the trail of the rest."

"The home and person who gave accommodation to the attackers before the attack, have been identified and has also been arrested."

“We did not spare a moment. I am happy that the Chief of Defence Staff has announced it. We have known for a while but we needed not to come out with it because more works are still ongoing.

“I can confirm that this arrest has been made and they are still on the trail of some of them,” The Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu said.

According to the Governor recent reports from victims of kidnapping in the state have established that some Ebira indigenes are involved in the cruel treacherous act.

"I want to use this medium to urge our brothers to concentrate on their farming trade. It will be unfortunate to know that the Ebiras in our midst are now involved in kidnapping.

“We are appealing to them not to copy bad thing. The traders selling by the road side should not become informants.

“We are not fighting them; we have seen their numbers, they supported and voted for us during elections. I will call their leaders and talk to them.

“Our brothers who were kidnapped on their way to Ikare; talk to them, they were taken to Ebira farmsteads.

“For me, we have lived together for too long for this to happen. I am ready to make any effort to ensure that the conviviality that we have enjoyed continues.

“But we are begging their leaders to urge them not to copy bad thing. They are in our midst, we are surrounded by them. The issue of security is key and it’s dynamic,” he said.