The National Security Council has blamed the Islamic State of West Africa Province, ISWAP, is responsible for the attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Ondo State.
Recall that on June 5, unknown gunmen had invaded the catholic church and opened fire on worshipers, killing about 38 persons.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing State House Correspondents after the National Security Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.
According to him, security agencies, particularly the police, have been directed to apprehend the perpetrators.
Mr Aregbesola added that the attack has no ethnic-religious connection, affirming that the group’s activity has nothing to do with religion.
The minister said the Federal Government would not be deterred in its effort to ensure adequate security of the lives and property of Nigerians.
He described the killing of the worshipers as devastating, senseless and an attempt to ignite ethnic violence.
Mr Aregbesola said that the attack was to dampen the morale of the government and Owo community, pointing out that the criminals were going after soft targets because they have been weakened.
The minister, who conferred with the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin III, called for collaborative efforts between traditional institutions and law enforcement agencies in apprehending the fleeing criminals.
He said that every piece of information on the attack was very important as it would go a long way in assisting the security agencies to bring the perpetrators to book.
