Six days after the attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu says security agents remain on the trail of those behind the massacre. 

“We are yet to know their identity and our security people are still on their trail,” Mr Akeredolu said on Friday, during a virtual interaction with Swiss-based Christian human rights Organisation, the Christian Solidarity International (CSI).

He explained that the attack was a crime against humanity, adding that the South-West had been a peaceful haven before the horrific massacre. 

Mr Akeredolu added that “A single police command can not guarantee safety in this country. We must have state police now. We are doing our best with Amotekun. 

“But Amotekun is suffering a lot of limitations in getting all the equipment needed to fight these criminals,” the governor told the organisation.

The Ondo governor’s comment has put to end the rumour that filtered in on Thursday evening that the attackers had been arrested by security agents. 

Residents of Owo town had on Thursday besieged the palace of the Olowo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, after unverified news filtered through the town that the killers were nabbed by the combined team of the Police, Nigerian Army and Amotekun Corps. 

This governor had also disputed as “too hasty” the federal government’s claim that the attack was carried out by the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorist group.

“The statement is too hasty. I take their conclusion with a pinch of salt. ISWAP doesn’t hide their attacks. If they had done it, they would have owned up”.

At least 40 worshippers were killed and dozens injured in the Mass Sunday violent attack, orchestrated by terrorists. 

The attack on the Catholic church drew both national and international condemnation, with many describing it as a crime against humanity.