Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, on Thursday, June 9, poured cold water on claims by the Federal government that extremist group, Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), is responsible for the massacre of worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, in the Owo region of the state, last Sunday.
At least 40 people died, and scores injured as a result of the attack on the congregants of the church, according to reports.
“Owo killings, ISWAP terrorists? What evidence? Too hasty,” Akeredolu said in an apparent response to the Federal government’s assertion.
It was earlier reported on Thursday noon, June 9, that the Federal government blamed the Islamic fighters for the attack on the worshippers.
Interior minister, Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed this after the National Security Council (NSC) meeting held in Abuja, according to People’s Gazette.
The Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) is an offshoot of Boko Haram, and the terrorists are predominant in Nigeria’s Northeast where they have carried out brutal attacks for over a decade.
Meanwhile, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.