Owo massacre: Ooni talks tough, says Yoruba ready to defend themselves

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, on Monday faulted the intelligence unit of the country’s security architecture, following the attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa, Owo, Ondo State on Sunday, where many lives were lost and several people injured.

The monarch, in a statement by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare described the gruesome massacre as barbaric.

“When calamities like this befall us without a single trace, the interpretation is that the intelligence unit of our country’s security architecture is probably faulty or completely missing,” the Ooni said.

Oba Ogunwusi recalled that the Sunday attack in Owo made it exactly one year when a gang of killer herdsmen killed at least over 20 people in Igangan, Ibarapa North Local Government of Oyo State on a Saturday night, where several houses, the palace of the Asigangan and a popular filling station were burnt in the attack.

He noted that the Sunday attack was targeted at turning Yorubaland to a war zone saying that the Yoruba people although peace loving cannot be overrun in their homes.

The Ooni who is the co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), said Yoruba people have the capacity and are prepared, ready to defend themselves against all external invaders.

“Rather than discouraging us, this will rather strengthen us especially in our resolve to deploy manpower, resources and technology towards the protection of lives and properties.

“The six governors across the south west region and their brothers nationwide as well as the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, to live up to their oaths of securing Nigerians and ensuring safety for the citizenry.” Ooni added.

The traditional ruler warned against plan by a group of bloodsucking enemies of God who had vowed to destabilise the Southwest region disclosing that there have been reports that some criminals are currently working to invade and wreak havoc in Yorubaland like the one that just happened in Owo yesterday. 

The Ooni commiserated with the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, the entire Owo kingdom, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Ondo State Government, the people of Owo, the Priest and parishioners of St. Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa, Owo, families of all the victims, and the entire people of Ondo State over the tragic and senseless killings.