Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu has cleared the air on a mix-up in the identity of a Kuje prison escapee, Idris Ojo, who was listed by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, as one of the arrested suspects involved in the terrorism attack carried out on the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, back in June, this year .
The CDS, General Lucky Irabor, had during a media parley with journalists listed one Idris Ojo among the fine suspects arrested in connection with the attack on the church in Owo, Ondo State.
Over 40 worshippers were killed in the attack which happened on June 5, 2022.
It emerged later that Ojo escaped from Kuje Prison when the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked the facility exactly one month after the Owo attack.
However, Irabo was said to have listed Ojo among those arrested over Owo attack.
While clarifying the issue in a statement Richard Olatunde, his spokesman, signed on his behalf, Akeredolu said the arrest of the escapee coincided with that of the church attackers, hence the mix-up.
“The attention of Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has been drawn to the announcement of Idris Ojo as one of the attackers of St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, arrested by the security agencies.
“Governor Akeredolu acknowledged the confusion the statement has created in the public space, considering that the ugly event of June 5 attack in Owo preceded the unfortunate incident on Kuje prison.
“The Governor said there was a mix up in the announcement by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor. Governor Akeredolu explained that Idris Ojo, who is number 14 on the wanted list of Kuje Prison escapees was arrested in his brother’s house in Akure.
“The announcement of the arrest of Idris Ojo as one of the perpetrators of the June 5 attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo was a mix up from the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor.
“Idris Ojo, who is number 14 on the wanted list of the Kuje Prison Escapees was arrested in his brother’s house in Akure. His brother, Jimoh Rasheed Ibrahim, received and accommodated him after his escape from Kuje prison.
“He was thereafter moved and kept in the custody of the security operatives at the same time the attackers of Owo Catholic Church were arrested and brought into custody. Hence, the mix up,” the statement read.
According to the CDS, the terrorists behind the Owo Catholic Church attack included; Momoh Ojo Abubakar, Aliyu Yusuf Itokpka, Auwal Ishaq Onimisi, Idris Ojo, and Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza.
The military added that Omeiza is one of the masterminds of the deadly attack.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, while peaking at a parley with media executives at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, said that the terrorists were captured at different locations across the country.
He said that the suspects, majority of who were arrested in various communities in Kogi, would be paraded before the public in due course.
“We had wanted to present the suspects to the public immediately but couldn’t because certain investigations are still being carried out,” he said.