The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, has confirmed that some suspects have been apprehended in connection with the recent terrorist attack on worshippers in St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo.
The suspected murderers invaded the church on June 5, killing at least 40 people and injuring many other worshippers.
The state Commander of Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye disclosed that some suspects had been arrested in connection with the killing.
He made this disclosure while parading some 71 men who were arrested for different criminal activities in Ondo State.
However, he did not give the exact figure of the suspects arrested but gave assurance that all the attackers of the worship centre would be apprehended.
Adeleye said: “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 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.”
While talking about the 71 suspects paraded at the headquarters of the command in Akure, Adeleye made it known that the suspects were arrested within the last four weeks for various offences which include 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.
He said: “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.”
He assured the good people of Ondo State that the corps would not relent until it gets rid of the criminal elements in the State.
He said: “There is no hiding place for them. They turned the heat on us and we have also turned the heat on them.”
