The Oodua People’s Congress has described Sunday’s attack on worshippers of St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State as callous and sign of imminent war in the South West.
The OPC said this in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Yinka Oguntimehin, on the attack in which over 50 died.
It decried the extent of the killings, saying bandits and Fulani killer herdsmen have perfected their plans to invade the South West region.
The Yoruba socio-cultural group, while urging the governors in all the six states of the region to step up their security plans, stated further that it will resist any attempt by criminal elements to cause religious crisis in the region.
Oguntimehin warned intruders planning to set the region ablaze to stay away or face the wrath of the group.
He insisted also that the OPC, which is part of the affiliate security groups under the aegis of Southwest Security Stakeholders Group had earlier alerted all the South West governors of possible attacks by some criminal elements and marauders across the region, but it is unfortunate that they didn’t act on the information.
He said: “It is unfortunate that the attack on Owo Church came in such cruel manner. It was premeditated and I want say it categorically that Yoruba, especially, the South west security stakeholders group will resist any attempt to cause religious or ethnic war in the region.
“We will not allow terrorists masquerading as bandits or killer herdsmen to take over our region and cause religious war. We will do everything within the ambit of the law to protect ourselves against external forces that are determined to get rid of the Yoruba in the region.”
The OPC Publicity Secretary urged the South West governors to brace up and strengthen the security architecture of their respective states, adding that the group was also ready to complement their efforts in ensuring that the region is safe for the people.