>
Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The police have apologised to residents of Owo for the June 5 terror attack on St. Francis Catholic Church that claimed 40 lives.
The new Assistant Inspector- General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 17, Yunus Akeera, made the apology at the palace of the Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye, on Wednesday.
Akeera, who resumed duty on Monday, condemned the deadly attack, adding that the force will henceforth engage the community to prevent a recurrence.
The AIG assured the monarch that they would fish out those behind the attack.
“Issues like this have never happened and people are wondering why Owo? We must say we are sorry for what has happened.
“But as law officers, we are going to put our ears to the ground and we will leave no stone unturned to make sure those who are behind this wicked act are apprehended and face the law. This I must assure you.
“We have come to the scene of the crime and from all indications the place is situated in the heart of the town and any rational person will be wondering what could have happened and our focus should be how to go about to round up those behind this incident so that they will be prosecuted.
“Furthermore, all the security architecture will be placed here so that such an incident will not repeat itself anymore in other areas in the state,” the police boss said.
Akeera, who commended the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, for the Executive Order to compel public and private institutions to install Close-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, stated that the move will enhance the fight against crime.
Respending, Oba Ogunoye lamented that police in Owo lack operational vehicles as well as adequate personnel.
“One could not fathom the reason why those people could go to that extent. They are not Muslims and they are not Christians. As I often say, they are not human beings and they aren’t worth human existence,” the monarch said.