Six Months After, Cleric Demands Update, Prosecution Of Suspects Of Owo Catholic Church Attack

By Ayodele Oni

The Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Bishop Felix Ajakaye, has said that the silence of the federal

government and the security agencies on the attack of St Francis Church, Owo, Ondo state at this period is unacceptable.

The cleric noted that six months after the gruesome attack on the Catholic church in Owo, Ondo state, even the dead and their relations are desirous to know how far those arrested in connection with the incident are being prepared for trial.

Bishop Ajakaiye, in a statement in Ado Ekiti called on the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, to commence the prosecution of the suspects.

On June 5, 2022, gunmen stormed the Catholic church and killed no fewer than 40 worshippers which generated national and global outcry and condemnation.

The CDS had in August, two months after the incident, addressed newsmen in Abuja, where he revealed that some suspects were arrested in relation with the church attack and promised to update the public on development as regards the case.

The Bishop stated that the silence of the Federal Government and the security agencies on the Owo attack is unacceptable adding that the church and the families of the departed souls are waiting for the outcome of the investigations.

“As usual, the Buhari-led government commiserated with the people concerned.

“Typical of the administration’s trademark, it vowed to be on top of the situation and fish out the culprits.

“Our wish is for the government to always be on top of the action, not merely on top of the situation.

“After six month of the evil attack, the dead have been buried, and their people and other well-wishers are still in sorrowful moods. Many of the injured are equally traumatized.

“Over three months ago. General Lucky Irabor, the Chief of Defence Staff, addressed a world press and told the world that there had been arrests made concerning the Pentecost Sunday attack at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo Ondo State, Nigeria.

“A voice is heard in Ramah, lamenting and weeping bitterly: it is Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted because they are no more.” (Matthew 2:18) General Irabor, Nigeria is still waiting…

“More than ever, the people who have been in custody since the General’s public statement to Nigerians and the world that they had been arrested need to be prosecuted now.

“Not only that, General Irabor needs to give the update of the present situation on Owo massacre.”