ISWAP carried out Owo church attack – National Security Council

St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo Ondo after gunmen attack

The National Security Council on Thursday said the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) is responsible for the attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo on June 5 that led to the death of about 40 persons.

Briefing journalists after its meeting in Abuja, minister of interior Rauf Aregbesola said security agencies, particularly the police, have been directed to apprehend the perpetrators.

The former governor said the attack has no ethnic-religious connection.

Aregbesola added that the council is also concerned about killings in the name of blasphemy and has directed the security agencies to go after perpetrators of the incidents that occurred in Sokoto State and Abuja recently.

He assured that the council has made adequate security preparations for the June 18 governorship election in Ekiti State.

Inspector general of police Usman Baba told reporters that security agencies are closing in on the Owo attackers.

Apart from the security heads, those who attended the meeting were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, secretary to the government of the federation, Boss Mustapha; the chief of staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari and the national security adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd.).