Five suspects involved in the deadly June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, are now facing trial in a Federal High Court in Abuja. The suspects—Idris Abdumalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Isris, Jamiu Abdumalik, Anduhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar—are accused of being members of the Al Shabab terrorist group with ties to ISWAP. They’re charged with nine counts of terrorism, including conspiracy to plan and execute the attack, which claimed over 40 lives and injured more than 100 worshippers.
During a recent hearing, an eyewitness testified about the harrowing experience, describing how he hid in the church restroom as bombs exploded and gunmen fired. The prosecution has presented evidence, and the court has adjourned the trial to January 13 and 14, 2026, for further proceedings. The attack drew widespread condemnation, with President Bola Tinubu demanding justice for the victims ¹ ².
