Amotekun arrests suspected masterminds of Owo church killing

The Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps said it has arrested some suspects in connection with the terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

The suspected terrorist invaded the church on June 5, killing no fewer than 40 people and injuring many other worshippers.

Ondo State Amotekun commander, Adetunji Adeleye, yesterday said some suspects had been arrested in connection with the killing.

He stated this while parading some 71 men who were arrested for various criminal activities across the state.

Adeleye, however, did not give the actual figure of the suspected terrorists arrested but expressed assurance that all the attackers of the worship centre would be apprehended.

“As regards the Owo incident, we have recovered the last vehicle they used for that operation and we made some arrests and we have also recovered some vital things which we are working on,” Adeleye said.

“A number of people have been arrested concerning the Owo issue as well as a well number of equipment. On that day, we pursued them to the point that we recovered the vehicle and we are still pursuing them We have told you that until we get to the root, I can assure you that the perpetrators and their sponsors will be brought to book.”

Adeleye explained that cultism suspects arrested recently were apprehended within the last one month for various offences ranging from armed robbery, cattle rustling, kidnapping, raping, fraud, and human trafficking.

“The 71 suspects were picked while committing offences and others were tracked to their hideouts in the forests. We have been able to get a cartel that specialises in stealing and dismantling motorbikes which we all know as okada. Also, we were able to recover over 50 bikes during the operation from these criminals.

“We also got reports from some herdsmen that their cattle were stolen. We went after them and brought the cows back to the Fulani herdsmen that owned the cow. We have a group of small boys who are under 18 years old that turned themselves into a cartel of criminals in a particular local government in Ondo State and armed themselves. They actually belong to a cult group called ‘Agbado’. We were able to arrest 12 out of the 17 members.

“We have about three to four suspected kidnappers and we intend to take most of these suspects, especially the ones we have concluded their investigations to the DPP and for their onward prosecution in court.”