FG after a security meeting today disclosed that the fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) were behind the killings
By Kehinde Okeowo
The National Security Council, on Thursday, June 8 disclosed that the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) was responsible for the attack on a Catholic church in Owo, Ondo State.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed this while briefing State House reporters after the security meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He said the Federal government (FG) through intelligence gathering has been able to trace the perpetrators of the Owo attack and has zeroed in on the ISWAP terrorist group.
Aregbesola, who spoke in the company of the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, also said security agencies are closing in on the perpetrators.
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According to the minister, the group was out to pitch Nigerians against one another and make it appear like an ethno-religious war. He urged Nigerians to remain united and defeat the terrorists.
He also said the council is gravely concerned about the spate of blasphemy-linked killings and has directed security agents to hunt those behind the killing of Deborah Samuel Sokoto State and a more recent case in Abuja.
The former Osun state governor, however, noted that the police have arrested no one for the attack since Sunday.
Aregbesola went on to update Nigerians that the security council has made adequate security preparations for the June 18 governorship election in Ekiti State.
Those who attended the security meeting are 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.).
Others include Chief of Defense Staff, General Lucky Irabor; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Farouk Yahaya; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo; and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao.
Also in attendance are the Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Usman; the Director-General of the Department of State Service, Yusuf Bichi; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar.
Scores of worshippers were killed while others were injured during Sunday’s attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo.
