Owo killings: South West governors declare three -day mourning

….Condemns influx of Okada into region

The six South-West governors have convened a meeting, condemning the terrorist attack in Owo the state capital and declared a three days mourning.
They also condemn in strong terms the influx of Okada riders into state capitals in the South West part of the country exacerbating the regions security situation.

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It will be recalled that gunmen stormed the church on June 5, killing over 40 people while injuring several others.
The attack has since been condemned by most Nigerians, including President Muhammadu Buhari and other state governors who asked security operatives to unmask the killers.

In a statement obtained by Channels Television on Sunday, the regional governors declared a three-day mourning.

They also condemned in strong terms what they described as a terrorist attack, vowing to protect the people under their domain.

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The recent attack, they said, “compels immediate intervention in the whole of the South West to nip the insidious phenomenon of insurgency in the bud.”

“The Governors condemn, in very strong terms, the horrendous crime perpetrated by Terrorist against the people and residents of Owo, Ondo State, and, by extension, the peace-loving people of the South West. The Governors sympathize with the victims of the mindless attack in Owo,” the statement partly read.

“The Governors agreed to declare a 3-day mourning period in memory of the victims of the 5th June 2022 terror attack on St Francis Catholic, Owaluwa Street, Owo, Ondo State, starting from Monday, 13th June, to Wednesday, 15th, June 2022 to symbolize our collective loss across all South Western States in Nigeria.

“The meeting agreed that all the Governors should direct the flying of Flags at Half Mast in all public buildings, facilitates and official residences across all the States in the South West in honor of the victims of the Owo terror attack.

“The Governors noted, with a great discomfiture, the increasing agitations about spaces taken over by unidentified and unknown migrants in all South West States. The meeting, therefore, recommends an increase in the scope of surveillance of the activities of these undocumented settlers by relevant security agencies in all the States.

“The Governors, as Chief Security Officers, resolved to continue to assist the security agencies in the areas of crisis management and intelligence gathering at ALL times.

“The Governors reviewed reports from various States on the factors militating against peace and security in the region.

They expressed grave concern about the influx of Okada riders into all parts of the South West, especially the State capitals. The meeting further resolved that efforts be geared toward identity management of Okada riders and stringent regulations put in place for their operation.

“Consequently, the Forum decided it was time to reconvene the southwest Security Committee to look critically into this creeping menace before it blossoms into another intractable social problem. The Committee will be expected to submit its findings on the desirability of Okada operations in the region. It is also expected to submit a multi-level template to combat the threat of insurgency and terrorism in the region.

“The Forum agreed to convene forthwith a physical meeting of the South West Governors to deliberate on the security challenges confronting the region.”

Credit: Channelstv