Prosecute Owo church terrorists

It is understandable that the military High Command did not parade four terrorists arrested lately in connection with the horrible attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor had explained then that investigation was going on. It was a reasonable relief for many Nigerians that the culprits were arrested in the first place, considering the trauma that the attack visited on citizens; and given also that in the past, terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other violent criminals have killed hundreds of innocent souls without anyone being caught, let alone punished. The church attack in Owo, carried out during Sunday service on June 5 this year, left about 50 innocent souls wasted and many others injured.

If the feat by the military and other security agencies that carried out the arrest of the attackers is commendable, it is even more instructive that two more suspects on the attack were nabbed shortly after Gen. Irabor announced the initial arrest of four persons. The defence chief said the attackers who have links with ISWAP terrorist group were arrested on August 1 at Eika, Okehi Local Council of Kogi State.

Irabor, had during an interaction with some media executives disclosed that four of the attackers had been arrested, explaining that the arrest was made possible through a combined operation with the SSS personnel. He named those arrested as Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (a.k.a Bin Malik), Momoh Otohu Abubakar, Aliyu Yusuf Itopa and Auwal Ishaq Onimisi. Shortly after that, a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Jimmy Akpor, confirmed the arrest of additional two suspects carried out at Omialafara (Omulafa), Ose LGA, Ondo State on August 9. The suspects were named as Al-Qasim Idris and Abdulhaleem Idris.

“It is instructive to note that Abdulhaleem, alongside other high profile ISWAP commanders, had also previously coordinated attacks on military targets in Okene, Okene LGA, Kogi State resulting in casualties”, a part of the statement noted.

Before this confirmation, the South West security outfit, Amotekun had announced the arrest of some people in connection with the Owo incident. Notwithstanding the fact that Amotekun is an ad hoc arrangement to help address the insecurity challenges in the South West region, the corps has been fairly successful in countering insecurity in parts of the region, particularly Ondo State. Irabor had said the arrest was made possible as a result of the synergy between the security agencies. In the same light, the Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu confirmed the arrest of the landlord that provided accommodation for the attackers.

Amotekun, in another operation, reportedly intercepted 168 suspects who were concealed inside two trucks carrying cows and 40 motorcycles with fake documents along a major road in Ondo State. But for that interception, the suspects would have been smuggled into Ondo State. Amotekun and the other security agencies indeed deserve commendation for this feat, which shows the usefulness of cooperation among forces to stem crime and terrorism in the country.

The continued influx of migrants with no means of livelihood into the South West, under circumstances that point to the likelihood of criminality, is worrisome and calls for more vigilance. The country appears to be in danger of invasion by foreigners and this should not be taken lightly. According to Amotekun, while profiling the suspects, it was discovered that, many do not have addresses of where they are going, and the fact that they conceal themselves under animals raises a lot of suspicion.

It is important for political leaders especially governors to address the continued migration of their young population. Unless such mass movement is checked and the migrants properly interrogated, the country may not be able to end its security threats any time soon.

There is need to reiterate the imperative of state police to effectively fight crime. What is happening now, including the little gain being recorded by security agencies are too ad hoc in nature. Current efforts need to be better streamlined and given a boost, using established agencies including Amotekun. Government must appreciate that there can be no meaningful development in any part of the country without peace. Government, through federal lawmakers should strive quickly to amend section 214 of the 1999 constitution to decentralise the Nigeria Police and allow state police as has been largely canvassed by numerous groups and individuals, as a way to tackle the country’s very bad security situation. State police, under a truly federal structure, offers the best and perhaps the only solution to solve the country’s rising security challenges.

Beyond this and while the country is savouring the arrest of suspected terrorists, the law should be allowed to take its course on the arrested suspects. They should be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to discourage others from going into criminality. The impression has for long been created that nothing happens to criminals who are apprehended; and this was recently buttressed by the recent attack on Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja where many criminals, including terrorists being investigated for several years, were let loose. Nigerians should be informed of what happens to suspects apprehended for crime.

It behoves on the police to create credibility trust with the public and stop the chain of speculation and controversies’ surrounding arrested crime suspects. The public will not give the police much required cooperation and information on criminals when noting seems to happen to the suspects. Civil society groups and the media also have roles to ensure that the course of justice and due process are not subverted under any guise. The authorities comprising the Army, DSS the attorneys general of states and federal government, and other relevant bodies should set a good example by bringing the Owo church killers to book.