SOUTHWEST Governors Forum held an emergency meeting in honour of those who lost their lives at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owo where scores of worshippers were killed in Ondo State on June 5, 2022.
The governors condemned the unprovoked attacks on innocent church members.
Gunmen had stormed the church on June 5, killing over 40 people while injuring several others. The attack has since been condemned by most Nigerians, including President Muhammadu Buhari and other state governors who asked security operatives to unmask the killers.
In a statement obtained by Channels Television on Sunday, the regional governors declared a three-day mourning.
They also condemned in strong terms what they described as a terrorist attack, vowing to protect the people under their domain.
The recent attack, they said, “compels immediate intervention in the whole of the South West to nip the insidious phenomenon of insurgency in the bud.”
“The Governors condemn, in very strong terms, the horrendous crime perpetrated by Terrorist against the people and residents of Owo, Ondo State, and, by extension, the peace-loving people of the South West. The Governors sympathise with the victims of the mindless attack in Owo,” the statement partly read.
“The Governors agreed to declare a 3-day mourning period in memory of the victims of the 5th June, 2022 terror attack on St Francis Catholic, Owaluwa Street, Owo, Ondo State, starting from Monday, 13th June, to Wednesday, 15th, June, 2022 to symbolise our collective loss across all South Western States in Nigeria.
“The meeting agreed that all the Governors should direct the flying of Flags at Half Mast in all public buildings, facilitates and official residences across all the States in the South West in honour of the victims of the Owo terror attack.
“The Governors noted, with great discomfiture, the increasing agitations about spaces taken over by unidentified and unknown migrants in all South West States. The meeting, therefore, recommends an increase in the scope of surveillance of the activities of these undocumented settlers by relevant security agencies in all the States.
“The Governors, as Chief Security Officers, resolved to continue to assist the security agencies in the areas of crisis management and intelligence gathering at ALL times.
“The Governors reviewed reports from various States on the factors militating against peace and security in the region. They expressed grave concern on the influx of Okada riders into all parts of the South West, especially the State capitals. The meeting further resolved that efforts be geared toward identity management of Okada riders and stringent regulation put in place for their operation.
“Consequently, the Forum decided it was time to reconvene the South West Security Committee to look critically into this creeping menace before it blossoms into another intractable social problem. The Committee will be expected to submit its findings on the desirability of Okada operations in the region. It is also expected to submit a multi-level template to combat the threat of insurgency and terrorism in the region.
“The Forum agreed to convene forthwith a physical meeting of the South West Governors to deliberate on the security challenges confronting the region.”
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