Akeredolu explains mix-up in the identity of Kuje escapee named as Owo attack suspect by Gen Irabor

By our reporter| Ondo state governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Wednesday cleared the air on a mix-up in the identity of a Kuje escapee, Idris Ojo who was listed among those arrested for the Owo church attack chief of defence staff, General Lucky Irabor, on Tuesday.

Irabor, at a parley with media executives, had announced some perpetrators of the attack which killed over 40 worshippers on June 5, 2022.

The CDS named Ojo who escaped from Kuje Prison when the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) invaded the facility exactly one month after the Owo attack as one of the suspects arrested over the attack.

But clarifying the mix-up via a statement by his spokesman, Richard Olatunde, Akeredolu said the arrest of the escapee coincided with that of the church attackers, hence the confusion.

“The attention of Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has been drawn to the announcement of Idris Ojo as one of the attackers of St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, arrested by the security agencies, the statement reads.

“Governor Akeredolu acknowledged the confusion the statement has created in the public space, considering that the ugly event of June 5 attack in Owo preceded the unfortunate incident on Kuje prison.

“The Governor said there was a mix up in the announcement by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor. Governor Akeredolu explained that Idris Ojo, who is number 14 on the wanted list of Kuje Prison Escapees was arrested in his brother’s house in Akure.

“The announcement of the arrest of Idris Ojo as one of the perpetrators of the June 5 attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo was a mix up from the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor.

“Idris Ojo, who is number 14 on the wanted list of the Kuje Prison Escapees was arrested in his brother’s house in Akure. His brother, Jimoh Rasheed Ibrahim, received and accommodated him after his escape from Kuje prison.

“He was thereafter moved and kept in the custody of the security operatives at the same time the attackers of Owo Catholic Church were arrested and brought into custody. Hence, the mix up,” the statement read.

Governor Akeredolu urged members of the public to remain vigilant and give necessary support to the security agencies in the State.