What Has Been Done To Owo Church Massacre Suspects After One Year? – Catholic Bishop Queries Military Chief, General Irabor

Irabor in August 2022 told Nigerians that the gunmen behind the attack had been arrested, but after the announcement of their arrest, nothing has been heard about suspects again.

The Catholic bishop of Ekiti, Ekiti State, Felix Ajakaye, has demanded the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lucky Irabor, to give an update on the whereabouts of the suspects arrested over the attack and massacre of worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Ondo state.

Recall that on Sunday June 5, 2022, gunmen attacked the Catholic church where no fewer than 40 worshippers were killed and dozens injured.

Irabor in August 2022 told Nigerians that the gunmen behind the attack had been arrested, but after the announcement of their arrest, nothing has been heard about suspects again.

Whereas it seems the bloody incident has been forgotten with families of the victims still lamenting neglect by the government, Bishop Ajakaye in a statement on Wednesday reminded the Chief of Defense Staff that it was already a year since the attack and Nigerians are still waiting for answers.

Ajakaye said that Irabor has not updated Nigerians on what has become of the said arrested suspects.

TheCable quoted Bishop Ajakaye as saying, “There was outright condemnation within and outside Nigeria against the evil and unprovoked attack. Typical of the then President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, it commiserated with the Church, Ondo state and the people concerned, and it promised to arrest the culprits,” he said.

“Really, the government was widely known for its promise of always being on top of the situation, though it was never seen to be on top of the action.

“Surprisingly, a few months after the attack, addressing a world press, General Lucky Irabor, the Chief of Defence Staff, informed the world that arrests had been made regarding the Sunday attack at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo.

“Unfortunately, to date, 5 June 2023, exactly one year after, we have not heard anything again from the army general.

“Now, a question for the chief of defence staff, general Lucky Irabor. Please, sir, when shall we be lucky to know what has become of the people you told Nigerians and the whole world were arrested due to their involvement in the massacre of the over 41 people and scores of people seriously injured during the Church attack of the worshippers by such people in Owo on 5 June 2023?

“Until an answer is given, we shall keep asking the question. Remember, the cases of the Chibok girls, Leah Sharibu and the others are still there.”