Five Suspects Face Judgment Today Over Owo Church Massacre

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed June 3 for judgment in the trial of five men accused of involvement in the terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State. The attack, which occurred on June 5, 2022, left at least 41 worshippers dead and more than 140 others injured. The assault, one of the deadliest on a place of worship in Nigeria’s recent history, occurred during Sunday mass when attackers threw explosives at the altar and opened fire on congregants, scattering worshippers and plunging the community into mourning.

The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting the five defendants over their alleged roles in the attack. The defendants are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25 years), Al Qasim Idris (20 years), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26 years), Abdulhaleem Idris (25 years), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47 years). They are facing a nine-count charge bordering on terrorism, including the detonation of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at the church. One of the count charges reads: “That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, on June 5, 2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, did detonate Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) which caused grievous bodily harm to over 100 persons.”

The development comes a week after Justice Emeka Nwite reserved judgment in the case following the adoption of final written addresses by the prosecution and defence. At the last hearing on May 26, 2026, Nwite said a date for judgment would be communicated to the parties, adding that notice could come within 24 hours. The matter has now been scheduled for judgment on Wednesday.

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At the close of the trial, the DSS urged the court to convict the defendants and impose the maximum punishment prescribed by law. Ayodeji Adedipe, counsel to the prosecution and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) , argued that the evidence before the court established the defendants’ involvement in the attack and warranted the death penalty. Adedipe told the court that the prosecution had painstakingly established its case against the defendants through compelling evidence and detailed investigations, which reflected the determination of security agencies to ensure accountability for one of the deadliest attacks on innocent worshippers in Nigerian history.

However, Abdullahi Mohammad, counsel to the defendants, asked the court to discharge and acquit his clients, contending that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations against them.

The trial commenced on August 1, 2025, after the DSS secured an order for an accelerated hearing. During the proceedings, the prosecution called 11 witnesses in a bid to establish the terrorism allegations against the defendants. The court also admitted the defendants’ confessional statements after conducting a trial-within-trial to determine whether the statements were made voluntarily. The prosecution also tendered a digital forensic examination report alongside a phone alleged to have contained communications exchanged by the defendants before and after the terror attack.

Throughout the trial, survivors of the attack gave harrowing testimony before the court. One survivor, a couple identified in court as “SSE” and “SSD”, testified as prosecution witnesses, with the husband recounting how he had to crawl among dead bodies searching for his missing son while his wife lost both legs and her left eye as a result of injuries sustained during the attack. The wife, a nurse with the Ondo State Hospital Management Board, was wheeled to the centre of the courtroom to show the judge her amputated legs and damaged eye.

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The attack sparked national and international outrage, with world leaders including Pope Francis, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, the European Union, and the United Kingdom condemning the assault. Then-President Muhammadu Buhari declared that “the country shall never give in to evil and wicked people,” while the late Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu described the attack as a “deliberate, vicious and calculated assault on peace-loving people.” The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, also condemned the attack and demanded justice for the victims.

As the court prepares to deliver its judgment today, security has been tightened around the Federal High Court premises in Abuja, with armed operatives of the DSS and the Nigeria Police deployed to maintain order. The judgment is expected to be delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the trial. The Owo community, still grieving the loss of their loved ones nearly four years after the attack, has been eagerly awaiting the outcome of the trial, hoping for justice for the 41 worshippers who lost their lives and the over 140 others who sustained injuries.

Following the attack, the Ondo State Government, under Akeredolu’s leadership, led state-level emergency responses, including visits to hospitalised victims and coordination of relief efforts for affected families. The attack also prompted the South-West Governors’ Forum to declare a three-day mourning period across all South-West states, with flags flown at half-mast in all public institutions in solidarity with the victims.

Legal analysts note that if convicted, the defendants could face the death penalty, which the prosecution has strongly advocated for. However, should the court discharge and acquit the defendants, it could trigger widespread outrage from victims’ families and civil society groups who have been following the case closely. The delivery of judgment in this case comes nearly four years after the tragic attack, which remains one of the deadliest incidents of violence against worshippers in Nigeria’s recent history. Human rights organizations have called for a fair and transparent judicial process, while families of the victims have expressed hope that justice will be served. The case has also drawn attention to the broader challenge of terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria, particularly attacks on soft targets such as places of worship and schools.

As of the time of this report, the court is expected to convene later today for the judgment delivery. The trial, widely seen as a major test of Nigeria’s resolve against terrorism and mass violence, has been closely watched by legal analysts, human rights groups, and families of the victims.

Five Suspects Face Judgment Today Over Owo Church Massacre

“He Has Lost His Mind” — Oyo Govt Slams Fayose Over School Kidnapping Claims

The Oyo State Government has responded strongly to allegations made by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, over the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in the state, describing his comments as reckless, harmful, and capable of endangering lives.

Governor Seyi Makinde, through the state’s Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said Fayose’s remarks were unfortunate at a time when security agencies were working tirelessly to secure the release of those still in captivity. According to Oyelade, the former governor’s comments have shocked many Nigerians and amounted to an attempt to politicise a deeply sensitive security issue.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Oyelade accused Fayose of displaying a troubling level of bitterness and hostility, adding that his remarks could undermine ongoing efforts by security operatives handling the kidnapping case. The statement read in part: “Nigerians are shocked by Fayose’s comment. He needs prayers. For a former governor to be so consumed by the politics of vindictiveness, vileness, deceit and hate, that he would further endanger the lives of those in captivity and distract security agents from handling this delicate job, smacks of one who has lost his mind.”

“Governor Makinde is too preoccupied with finding a solution to the challenges posed by the kidnappers of children and teachers in the state to engage someone whose lifestyle and comportment have been suspect over a long time,” the commissioner added. The Oyo State Government maintained that its attention remains focused on addressing the security situation and ensuring the safe return of all victims. It urged residents to remain calm and continue supporting the efforts of security agencies. Oyelade also recalled previous comments allegedly made by Fayose against the Oyo governor, suggesting that the former Ekiti governor had repeatedly sought to drag Governor Makinde into political controversies.

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The latest exchange follows comments made by Fayose during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday. During the interview, the former governor criticised Governor Makinde’s handling of the kidnapping incident and suggested that the abduction may have been politically motivated. Fayose further alleged, without presenting evidence, that the incident could have been orchestrated to embarrass President Bola Tinubu, a claim that has since generated reactions from political observers and government officials. “I sometimes believe that the abduction at Oyo School was orchestrated by the Oyo State Government to blackmail President Tinubu,” Fayose was quoted as saying. He also accused Governor Makinde of failing to respond promptly to the incident, claiming that the governor prioritised political activities over the crisis. “The governor of Oyo State had his nomination and that of his candidates in the face of this abduction. He did not take any action, no steps were taken. It was after those nominations that he went to the families to visit them,” Fayose said.

The abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area has sparked concern across Oyo State, with many residents calling for stronger security measures to tackle the growing threat of kidnappings. The attack, which occurred on May 15, 2026, saw armed men raid Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in a coordinated operation that sent shockwaves across the state. Approximately 46 pupils and teachers were abducted, including a two-year-old pupil and a school principal. Tragically, there have been reports that one of the abducted teachers was killed in captivity.

In response to the crisis, President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in collaboration with the Oyo State Government and deployed a specialised rescue team to the affected communities. The President also dispatched a high-powered delegation led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, which included the National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu, and Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa. Addressing residents of the affected Esiele and Yawota communities, Gbajabiamila assured them that the President was “deeply troubled” by the incident and that the rescue operation would be “intelligence-led,” deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to secure the safe return of the victims. The delegation also promised to forward a request for a military base in the area to the President for consideration.

Governor Makinde has also appealed to Nigerians to stop apportioning blame over the abduction, urging instead that citizens support government efforts to ensure the safe and speedy release of the victims. Addressing protesters comprising members of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) , the National Union of Teachers (NUT) , and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ibadan, the governor disclosed that federal security operatives had been in the state for the past two weeks and that he meets with them at least three times daily to review rescue efforts. “This is not the time to trade blames,” Makinde said. “It is time to unite, to confront the challenges that we have and to bring back those children and their teachers.” The abduction has now entered its third week, with the whereabouts of the victims still unknown, leaving families trapped between hope and uncertainty as security agencies race to secure their freedom.

The exchange between Makinde and Fayose has generated heated debates on social media, with Nigerians divided over the former governor’s allegations. Some have questioned the timing of the abduction, which coincided with heightened political activity in the state, while others have dismissed Fayose’s claims as politically motivated and lacking evidence. Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government insists that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the victims and restore confidence in the state’s security architecture.

“He Has Lost His Mind” — Oyo Govt Slams Fayose Over School Kidnapping Claims