In a high-profile terrorism case that has gripped Nigeria, federal prosecutors on Monday arraigned five men accused of carrying out the June 2022 massacre at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which left at least 50 worshippers dead and more than 100 others injured.
The suspects, Idris Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja, charged under Nigeria’s stringent terrorism laws. All five pleaded not guilty and were ordered to remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) until trial proceedings resume on August 19.
The Charges and Alleged Terrorist Links
According to court filings, the men are accused of joining the East African terrorist group Al Shabaab in 2021, an allegation that, if proven, would mark an alarming cross-continental link between African militant factions. Prosecutors claim the group not only plotted the Owo attack but also planned assaults on a public school in central Nigeria and an area near a mosque roughly 30 km (18.6 miles) from the church.
Interestingly, Al Shabaab has not claimed responsibility for the Owo killings, and its operational presence in Nigeria has never been formally confirmed.
Who Was Behind the Massacre?
Initially, security officials suspected the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which, along with Boko Haram, has waged a prolonged insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast for over a decade. The real mastermind behind the attack is still unknown, though, as ISWAP has not taken credit for the massacre like Al Shabaab has.
The absence of a public statement has increased conjecture on whether the massacre was a cooperative effort by militant cells or a component of a larger, clandestine extremist campaign.
A Trial That Could Test Nigeria’s Justice System
Legal experts say this trial could serve as a litmus test for Nigeria’s capacity to prosecute terrorism cases amid widespread insecurity. Convictions in high-profile terror cases have been rare and often hampered by procedural delays, witness protection concerns, and intelligence gaps.
Judge Emeka Nwite’s decision to postpone the case until August 19 allows both parties to get ready for what is anticipated to be a heated and widely followed legal struggle.
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The Human Toll of the Owo Attack
On that fateful Sunday in June 2022, attackers stormed the St. Francis Catholic Church, shooting and detonating explosives on unarmed worshipers during mass.
According to survivors, there was chaos and misery, with families being pulled apart in seconds. The crime caused indignation and calls for stronger protection at places of worship across the country.
The trial is more than just a court proceeding; for the people of Owo, it is an attempt to find justice and closure during one of the most troubling periods in the state’s history.
