Governor Kayode Fayemi has openly finally debunked the claims that some Boko Haram terrorists or the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) are involved in the Owo killings while describing the rumours as speculations.
He stated this on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.Fayemi, who is the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), stressed that no evidence has confirmed that the terrorists were responsible for the attack.
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“I am not going to go into any speculation. As far as I’m concerned, the statement that ISWAP or Boko Haram, or whatever other institutions are responsible for this (attack) 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 that we have. And really it doesn’t – at this stage – matter, they have committed this crime, they have demonstrated the capacity to cause maximum damage to our people.”
“I don’t want us to jump the gun as far as this is concerned, and that is why I am not going to go into any detail as to what intelligence we had and at what point we had it.
“Our duty as security officers is to ensure that this does not occur again, and we go after elements of this nature, whichever organisation they may represent within our domains” Fayemi added.
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has also extended the mourning period in the state to Wednesday.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Richard Olatunde, in Akure.
Mr Olatunde explained that the extension was sequel to the resolution of the Southwest Governors’ Forum to observe a 3-day mourning period, starting from Monday to Wednesday across all the Southwest states.
“Governor Akeredolu has also directed that all flags in the state must be flown at half-mast for the three days period.
“Recall that the governor had directed that all flags in the state be flown at half-mast for seven days from Monday to Sunday.
“Gov. Akeredolu appreciated the governors in the Southwest for the massive love and cooperation shown since the horrendous attack in Owo,” Mr Olatunde said.