‎The Nigerian government has arraigned five persons who allegedly carried out the mass shooting and bombing at a Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo state, on June 5, 2022, where over 40 persons were killed.
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‎The five defendants arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja pleaded not guilty to the 9-count charge bordering on terrorism.

The defendants are Idris Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Abubakar.
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‎During the proceedings, counsel for the defendants, Abdullahi Muhammad, informed the Court that his clients have been in DSS custody since 2022. He adds that their families and lawyers have been prevented from accessing them. Muhammad thereby prayed the court that they be granted access.
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‎In his response, Callistus Eze, who is the prosecutor, informed the Court that he was unaware that the defendants had not been allowed access to families and lawyers. He assured that a formal written request by those affected before visitation will not be turned down by the DSS.
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‎Justice Emeka Nwite thereby ordered that defendants be allowed to access their families and lawyers. The judge had made this order after earlier granting an application for the matter to be heard during vacation.
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‎Justice Nwite further ordered that the defendants, having given a not guilty plea, be remanded at the DSS facility. The judge then fixed August 19 for the commencement of trial.
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‎As contained in the charge sheet, the five and others at large, sometime in 2021, allegedly became members of the Al Shabab Terrorist Group, with a cell in Kogi State, an act that is in breach of Section 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
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‎They allegedly met on May 30, as well as 3 and 4 June 2022 at the Government Secondary School, Ogaminana, Adavi Local Government Area, Kogi State and behind Omialafa Central Mosque, Ose Local Government Area, Ondo State.
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‎It was during these meetings, according to the charge sheet, that they hatched the plans to attack the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State on 5 June 2022.
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‎On the day of the incident, the attackers used AK-47 and improvised explosive devices IEDs to attack the worshippers during the Sunday service after shutting the doors. They used the IEDs and shot at the worshippers, including many children. The assailants also surrounded the church to shoot at those who attempted to escape the scene.
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‎THE BACK STORY
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‎On June 5, 2022, a mass shooting and bombing took place at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, during a Sunday service. The attack claimed at least 40 lives, with some reports suggesting the death toll could be as high as 80, including many children. Dozens more were injured in the assault.
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‎The incident began around 11:30 AM when armed gunmen, disguised as worshippers, entered the church while others positioned themselves outside.

They detonated improvised explosive devices near the church and opened fire on people both inside and outside the building. The attackers locked the main entrance, shooting anyone attempting to escape. The brutal assault lasted between 15 and 30 minutes before the assailants fled the scene.
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‎No organization immediately took responsibility for the attack. However, the Nigerian federal government suspected the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) of orchestrating the massacre.
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‎Some local residents blamed herdsmen, though these claims remain contested. Authorities made arrests following the attack, including suspects believed to be linked to ISWAP and plans for additional assaults.
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‎This massacre shocked the southwestern region of Nigeria, which is typically more peaceful and rarely experiences violent attacks on churches compared to other areas of the country plagued by insurgencies and banditry.

The Owo church attack stands as one of the deadliest assaults on a place of worship in Nigeria’s recent history, highlighting the ongoing security challenges the nation faces despite ongoing efforts to combat insurgent and militant groups.