FG to Arraign Five Suspected Owo Church Attackers in Abuja
The Federal Government is set to arraign five suspected terrorists linked to the June 5, 2022 St Francis Catholic Church attack in Owo, Ondo State, where dozens of worshippers were brutally killed.
Defendants in Court Under Tight Security
The suspects Idris Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, were brought into the Federal High Court in Abuja at about 9:05 a.m. under heavy escort by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
They will be arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite, with the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) prosecuting the case on behalf of the Federal Government.
Charges Filed Under Terrorism Prevention Act
According to court filings marked FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025, the five defendants face nine counts of terrorism. The charges, signed by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions in the Federal Ministry of Justice, allege that:
In 2021, the suspects joined and became members of the terrorist group Al-Shabab, establishing a cell in Kogi State.
Between May 30 and June 4, 2022, they held multiple meetings in Adavi LGA, Kogi State, and Ose LGA, Ondo State, to plan the Owo church attack.
On June 5, 2022, they executed the deadly assault, killing scores of worshippers.
The offences are in violation of Sections 25(1) and 12(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Owo Church Massacre Still Haunts Nigeria
The Owo church attack remains one of the deadliest acts of terrorism in Nigeria’s recent history, drawing national outrage and global condemnation. The case is being closely monitored as Nigerians demand justice for the victims.
As of the time of this report, the suspects were yet to be formally arraigned.
