Owo Massacre: Military Arrests Gunmen Who Attacked Owo Church

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor says attackers of St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State have been arrested.

Irabor made the disclosure during a press briefing at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja and added that the criminals were arrested in collaboration with other security agencies.

“Within the last time we met, we have recorded remarkable achievement. Let me bring it to your notice that within the same period, there have been ignoble actions of men of the underworld that have impinged on our collective well-being, namely the unfortunate train attack, the attack on Kuje correctional centre as well as what has been reported in the past the attack on the presidential convoy.

“Also, the Owo incident which was intended to bring man and women of the armed forces to present them in a form and shape that make it to look as if the nation is on a siege.

"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.

"I will like to say that in due course, the world will see them and others who are behind other daring attacks in the country", he said.

Over 30 people were reportedly killed when the gunmen stormed the church on June 5, 2022, opened fire on the congregation, and also detonated explosives as the worshippers scampered for safety.

Earlier, operatives of Amotekun Corps in Ondo State had arrested some suspects in connection with the killings

On June 23, 2022, the state Commander of Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye, expressed assurance that all the attackers of the worship centre had been apprehended but did not give the actual figure of the suspected terrorists arrested.

“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.

“A number of people have been arrested concerning the Owo issue as well as a 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", he had disclosed.