Two months after a suspected terror attack on the Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo, the assailants linked to the incident have been arrested.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Leo Irabor disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a parley with executives and editors of media organisations in Nigeria.

General Irabor said the attackers, suspected kingpins of the Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) terrorist group, were arrested during joint operations involving the Armed Forces, the Department of Security Services (DSS) and the police.

He said: “Within the last time we met, we have recorded remarkable achievement. Let me bring it to your notice that within the same period, there have been ignoble actions of men of the underworld that have impinged on our collective well-being, namely the unfortunate train attack, the attack on Kuje correctional center as well as what has been reported in the past the attack on the presidential convoy.

“Also, the Owo incident which was intended to bring man and women of the armed forces to present them in a form and shape that make it to look as if the nation is on a siege. We have arrested those behind the dastardly act in Owo.

“It was my intention to present them to the public, but because of the investigation still going on, I had to change my mind. I will like to say that in due course, the world will see them and others who are behind other daring attacks in the country.”

About 40 people were killed when the gunmen stormed the church on June 5, opened fire on the congregation, and also detonated explosives as the worshippers scampered for safety. (Based on reports by Channels TV and The PUNCH)