Audio By Carbonatix
Suspects linked to the killing of at least 40 people in a church in south-west Nigeria have been detained by a regional security force, the authorities there say.
Gunmen stormed the St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo state, during a service earlier this month and opened fire.
The suspects are being held by a force set up by the south-west state governors, known as Amotekun. It is a separate organisation from the police.
Amotekun commander Adetunji Adeleye told the BBC that the suspects were at different stages of interrogation.
He did not give any details about those being held but said a vehicle and some weapons were recovered.
Amotekun will need to hand the suspects over to the police if they are going to be prosecuted as it does not have the power to take people to court.
As well as the at least 40 people who died on 5 June, more than 100 others were injured during the attack.
The Nigerian government blamed the killings on the militant group, Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP). But the jihadists have not said that they carried out the attack.
Latest Stories
-
OSP secures approval to serve Ofori-Atta, Akore with SML case summons in US
8 seconds -
Ghana must leverage AfCFTA to unlock climate finance, green technology – Agyeman-Rawlings
1 minute -
Surprise at vetting as Mahama Ayariga reveals Sunyani West MP is his wife
6 minutes -
Ministers have no business meddling in chieftaincy disputes – Ayariga
6 minutes -
Bawku peace talks showing encouraging signs – National Peace Council
15 minutes -
Anger in Cameroon over femicide after eight women killed in a week
15 minutes -
‘If you started running, they shot you’ – inside Nigeria’s growing kidnapping crisis
16 minutes -
Fire destroys about 300 wooden structures at Asawase
17 minutes -
NRSA calls for urgent action on road infrastructure deficiencies
31 minutes -
Accra International Airport project funded without direct government financing – Mahama
32 minutes -
NDC promised 24-hour economy but cannot deliver 1-hour economy — John Boadu
43 minutes -
‘I can’t take any game for granted’ – Gideon Mensah says ahead of Bundesliga debut
44 minutes -
A look at the ‘Okada’ architecture under the new road traffic regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519)
49 minutes -
Wontumi’s GH¢30m EXIM Bank case heads to trial as plea bargain talks collapse
56 minutes -
John Boadu is NPP’s ‘only guarantee’ for 2028 victory – Former Effia MP, Joseph Cudjoe
1 hour