Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Monday, said that the Federal Government’s claim that the Islamic State West Africa Province, Iswap, is responsible for the attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo is speculative.

This came as scores of youths and elderly people, under the auspices of Yoruba Self-Determination Groups, in the South-West, yesterday, protested against killings, kidnappings, rape and destruction of property in the region by suspected armed bandits.

Recall that suspected terrorists on June 5, attacked the church, in Owo, Ondo State, and killed over 40 worshippers, injured several.

Speaking on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, Fayemi said the claim by the Federal Government is ‘purely speculative’.

The governor said he has not seen any evidence that substantially links the terror group to the attack.

He said: “As far as I’m concerned, the statement about ISWAP or Boko Haram or whatever other institutions are responsible for this is purely speculative at this stage.

“I haven’t seen any evidence that concretely puts this in the corner of any of these rogue elements.

“And really, at this stage, it doesn’t matter. They have committed a heinous crime and demonstrated the maximum capacity to cause damage to our people. Our duty is to ensure that this does not occur again and we go after elements of this nature, whichever organisation they represent.”

Governor Fayemi’s statement comes days after Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State rejected the same claim by the Federal Government.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, in Ondo State has scheduled Friday, June 17, 2022, for the mass burial of the victims.

Director of Social Communication of the Diocese of Ondo, Rev. Fr. Augustine Ikwu, who spoke with newsmen, said that the mass burial would take place at a new cemetery at Emure Road, Owo.

Ikwu, who put the death toll at 40, said: “The mass burial would take place at the new cemetery of the church on Friday in Owo.”

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