The federal government has arraigned five suspects over their alleged involvement in the murder of over 40 worshippers at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Ondo State.
The federal government arraigned five suspects today over their alleged involvement in the 2022 attack on St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State. The arraignment came before Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the suspects—Idris Omeiza, Al-Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar—faced a nine-count terrorism charge filed by the attorney-general of the federation.
The Federal Government alleged that the suspects held meetings in 2022 at Government Secondary School, Ogamirana, in Kogi State, and behind Omialafa Central Mosque in Ondo State, where they planned and coordinated the church attack.
The arraignment occurs three years after the then Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, disclosed that those behind the massacre had been arrested. Security agencies at the time linked the June 5, 2022, attack to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The attack left over 40 worshippers dead and many others injured. Prosecution of the suspects marks a significant development in the ongoing quest for justice.