Three years after the horrific attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, that left dozens dead and shocked the nation, the Federal Government is set to arraign five men accused of carrying out the assault.
The suspects — Idris Omeiza, Al-Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Abubakar — will appear today before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on a nine-count terrorism charge.
The June 5, 2022, attack occurred as Sunday Mass was ending. Gunmen stormed the church, opening fire on worshippers and hurling improvised explosive devices in a siege that lasted about 20 minutes. Survivors recall the chaos vividly — cries for help, smoke filling the sanctuary, and worshippers scrambling for safety.
While official figures put the death toll at 38, local estimates suggest as many as 70 people may have been killed, with many more injured. Some, including the presiding priest, were abducted.
At the time, the National Security Council blamed the assault on Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The Minister of Interior then, Rauf Aregbesola, stressed the attack had no ethnic or religious connection.
For years, victims’ families and the Owo community have waited for answers — and for justice. The arraignment marks a pivotal step in holding the accused accountable, though for many, the emotional wounds remain raw.
Former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu had described the attack as a “personal loss,” vowing to deploy every resource to track down those responsible. Then-President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the killings, promising that “darkness will never overcome light.”
As proceedings begin, church leaders and residents say the trial is not just about punishment but about reaffirming the right of Nigerians to worship without fear. The case also revives broader questions about security in the country and the state’s ability to prevent similar tragedies.