Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, has described the terrorists attack on worshippers at an Owo Catholic Church, as an attempt to destabilise Yorubaland.
Adams who stated this while reacting to the barbaric attack, also said the unprovoked attack on innocent worshipers was a threat to the continued existence of Nigeria as a united political entity.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Kehinde Aderemi, Adams said the senseless bloodletting was a big challenge to security agencies, urging them to rise to the occasion.
He described the attack as an abominable act against God and humanity, saying that the perpetrators will never escape the wrath of God.
He vowed that those behind the dastardly act must be fished out to face judgement.
Adams decried the spike in the activities of terrorists in different parts of the country and urged Government to rise to the occasion.
The statement made available to Ikengaonline read in part: “Cases of Boko Haram and bandits and other criminal elements always attacking churches and mosques have simply showed the failure of the government. It has also exposed the crass incompetence of Nigeria’s leaders and the security apparatus.
“Reports at my disposal showed clearly that the attackers actually disguised as worshippers of the church, planted an explosive device within the church premises and carried out their evil attack on innocent worshippers.
“They later kidnapped the Reverend Father, leaving worshippers cold dead in the pool of their blood.
“The criminals, according to reports, did not come with vehicles, they hijacked vehicle on the road to convey their victims.
“Meanwhile, the owner of the hijacked vehicle had gone to Owo A. Division to report the incident, even as all the roads in the ancient town had reportedly been deserted as people had stayed off the roads.
“The Federal Government must rise to its responsibility, begin thorough investigation into the attack and also bring the perpetrators of this gory incident to book. Investigation into the Owo Catholic bomb attack should not be swept under the carpet. Those that carried out the attack are not ghosts; they must be apprehended immediately.”
Adams condoled with the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and the Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ajibade Ogunoye.
He, however, urged the Governor not to give up in his efforts to secure the state.
Adams vowed that Ondo State would not succumb to the will of criminals bent on truncating the peace of the state.
“The video clips and pictures of the deadly attack on worshippers could best be imagined. Such attack would definitely not happen in saner climes where there is effective security. It would not happen in a country where lives of the citizens are precious to the government.
“However, at this sober time, I feel the pain even as I condole with the Governor, the royal father, the good people of Owo town, especially, those that have lost their loved- ones to this cruel attack.”
