Some terrorists on Sunday, June 5 attacked St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, killing 40 congregants and injuring several others.
Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) on Wednesday said the arrested fugitive who escaped from Kuje prison, Idris Ojo, was not part of the terrorists who attacked a church in the state.
Some terrorists on Sunday, June 5 attacked St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, killing 40 congregants and injuring several others.
Ojo was one of the suspects the military said it arrested while announcing a breakthrough in the investigation into the church attack and the arrest of suspected perpetrators.
The Ondo governor, however, clarified that Ojo was one of the inmates who escaped from the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, when some terrorists attacked the prison facility on July 5, freeing hundreds of inmates.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Richard Olatunde, on Wednesday, Akeredolu stated that there was a "mix-up" in the statement issued by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor.
Governor Akeredolu acknowledged the public confusion caused by the statement, given that the heinous June 5 attack in Owo preceded the unfortunate incident at Kuje prison.
According to Akeredolu, Ojo, who is number 14 on the wanted list of Kuje prison escapees, was rearrested at his brother's house in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Some Nigerians, particularly southerners had questioned the inclusion of Ojo as part of the terrorists who attacked the church, an attack many believe was carried out by Fulani people.
He said, “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."