The federal government on Monday arraigned five men accused of taking part in the gruesome killing of over 40 worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
Brought to the Federal High Court in Abuja by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the suspects appeared before Justice Emeka Nwite on a nine-count charge filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation.
According to the prosecution, the accused — along with others still at large — allegedly joined the Al Shabab terrorist group in 2021, establishing a cell in Kogi State in violation of Section 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Investigators allege that in 2022, the group held strategy meetings at Government Secondary School, Ogamirana in Adavi LGA, Kogi, and behind Omialafa Central Mosque in Ose LGA, Ondo State. These meetings allegedly culminated in the coordinated assault on June 5, 2022, when armed men stormed the Owo church during Sunday service, opening fire on worshippers.
The attack remains one of the deadliest incidents of mass violence in Nigeria’s recent history.
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