The fatal attack that occurred at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Ondo State last Sunday would have been averted were there to be States’ Police or Amotekun Corps allowed to carry weapons.
Stating this on Thursday was Chief Ayo Adebanjo, acting Leader of Afenifere, when he led a delegation of the organisation to Ondo State to commiserate with the people over the unfortunate Owo carnage as disclosed by the organisation’s national publicity secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi.
In the entourage were the Deputy Leader of Afenifere, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, former Secretary to the Federal Government, Oba Olu Falae, former Ogun State Deputy Governor, Senator Gbenga Kaka, Secretary General of the group, Chief Sola Ebiseni, the Ondo chapter secretary, Chief Korede Duyile and Otunba Tunji Alapinni, retired Inspector General of Police.
According to Pa Adebanjo, were Ondo State Government in total control of the state’s security, the terrorists’ planned attack would have been detected before the dastardly act was carried out.
He therefore used the opportunity to reiterate the calls for immediate establishment of State Police. He added that the States Security Network, Amotekun, should, in the meantime, be allowed to carry weapons so that the people of Western Nigeria can better be protected.
While commiserating with Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye II, the Afenifere leader urged the monarch to brace up for the protection of his people because “the Owo attack was a declaration of war on Yorubaland. They wanted to lure us out and use it as an excuse to unleash terror on our land.” Ajayi quoted Adebanjo as quickly adding that they will fail woefully. Just as he urged Olowo to enlist the support of his fellow Obas in confronting the warlike situation.
Afenifere delegation was also at the church where Pa Adebanjo totally condemned the attack. A sum of one point five million naira was donated to the church and victims of the attack.
Responding, Reverend Father Vincent Anadi expressed appreciation for the visit and for the financial support. From the church, scene of the incident, the delegation moved to the Governor’s Office in Akure where it was received by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Pa Adebanjo expressed regret that he was in the Governor’s Office for another commiseration. The last time he was there was in 2019 to condole over the assassination of Olufunnke, daughter of Afenifere Leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.
As he did while in the palace of Olowo of Owo, Adebanjo urged Governor Akeredolu to, along with his fellow Governors in the South West, declare three days mourning in honour of the victims of Owo massacre.
He commended the governor for performing well especially in the area of providing security “which was why they went into your home town to carry out the attack.”
He exhorted the governor, along with his fellow Governors, to come up with strategies to tackle the warlike situation that we are presently in in Yorubaland.
Adebanjo, who again, called for a new Constitution, said that the document made Nigerian President the most powerful in the world. He insisted on Restructuring based on a new Constitution.
The team was joined in the Governor’s Office by former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.
While responding, Governor Akeredolu thanked Pa Adebanjo and his team. He praised the old man for his tenacity even at a ripe old age.
The governor said that what happened at Owo on Sunday does not happen in a war situation as soldiers “would normally face themselves in a war situation”. He added that as at the last count the number of people who lost their lives to the incident has risen to 40 while several are still on hospital beds receiving treatment.
On the issues raised by Afenifere leader, the governor gave the assurance that he and his colleagues will work on some of them.
He urged Afenifere to engage the All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu. This is to ensure that the issues raised are factored in when a new government comes on board next year.
Others in the delegation were Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo, Chief Tokunbo Ajasin, Mrs Nike Olujembola, Otunba Femi Arowosola, Mr. Elias Matimini, Prince Adebanjo Edema, Chief Bayo Fajemilua, Barrister Dele Farotimi, Mr. Amusa Adebisi, Dr F. Agboola, Mr. Saheed Adewole and Mr Wasiu Jimoh Ayanwale.