*Says 2023 elections will hold as planned
*Confirms arrest of Owo Catholic Church bombers
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, Tuesday, allayed the fears expressed by the residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Nigerians generally, that Abuja, the seat of government, has been surrounded by terrorists planning to strike at strategic places.
He also confirmed the arrest of the perpetrators of Owo Catholic Church klings.
Speaking at a media parley on Tuesday in Abuja, the CDS said the arrets were made possible by the joint operations of all the security agencies.
At the parley which is the second in the series of engagements between the CDS and executives of media organisations in Nigeria, the Defence Chief assured Nigerians that in spite the spate of attacks in almost every part of the country, the 2023 general elections will hold as planned, adding that security agencies are working hard to improve security across the country.
On the Owo Catholic Church attack, he said the attackers, who are members of Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP), are already in custody.
He listed the names of the attackers as Idris Abdulmalik Omeza, Momoh Otohu Abubakar, Aliu Yusuf, who analysts say are mainly from Kogi State.
Gen. Irabor assured that the 2023 general elections will hold despite presumed security challenges in the country.
He said the military is committed to protecting the country’s democratic ideals.
Meanwhile, the CDS has reassured residents of the FCT of their safety.
He dispelled rumours that terrorist elements are laying siege on the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), and already plotting attacks on residents of the nation’s capital.
Irabor, strongly maintained that Abuja is safe, and has not been invaded by Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West African Province, ISWAP, terrorists.
Earlier, in his address, he said the terrorists want to invoke fear in the citizens.
Irabor further said that efforts of the military hierarchy to boost ground operations in the North West and Central have resulted in the killing of several terrorists and armed bandits.
In a presentation, Mal. Yushau Shuaib, the Editor-in-Chief of PRNigeria, called on his colleague media chiefs to be wary of reportage that can threaten national security and emboldened terrorists and other criminal elements, to continue perpetrating violence.
According to him, the suspects would be paraded after an investigation has been concluded into the matter.
Irabor said, “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.”
Recall that on June 5, terrorists attacked St. Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa Street, Owo, during mass.
The Chief of Defence Staff, said the military has killed many bandits’ leaders amid the recent Abuja-Kaduna train attack in the country.
Speaking on the recent train attack, Irabor said although some victims had been released, the military and other security agencies remained committed to ensuring the safe rescue of the remaining victims in captivity.
He said the military had intensified both air and ground operations to deal with criminals in all parts of the country, adding that several successes had been recorded in recent times.
Irabor disclosed that the essence of the parley was to solicit understanding and support from the media in the fight against security challenges bedeviling the nation.
He, however, called for greater cooperation between the military and the media to find solutions to the security challenges and disallow enemies from stoking fears in the minds of the public.
The Army chief also urged Nigerians and political leaders to understand the distinction between military operations and politics, adding that the military remained undaunted in ensuring a safe and secure nation.
