Five Suspected Terrorists Face Trial Over Owo Church Attack

Five men accused of carrying out the deadly terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, in June 2022, are set to face trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The suspects, identified as Idris Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, were brought into the courtroom under heavy security by operatives of the Department of State Services.

The attack, which occurred on June 5, 2022, claimed the lives of several worshippers and shocked the nation. The Federal Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, has filed a nine-count charge against the accused, marking a significant step in efforts to bring those responsible to justice.

According to the charge, filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, M.B. Abubakar, the suspects were allegedly members of the Al Shabab terrorist group and operated a cell in Kogi State. They are accused of conspiring to plan and execute the church attack during meetings held in both Kogi and Ondo States just days before the incident.

The charges levelled against them are in violation of several sections of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. As of the time of reporting, the arraignment before Justice Emeka Nwite had yet to commence.