- Owo Church Bombing Suspects Plead Not Guilty to Terrorism Charges
- They face terrorism charges and were linked to ISWAP activities.
- Over 40 worshippers died in the attack during Sunday mass.
Five men accused of orchestrating the June 5, 2022, bombing of Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, have pleaded not guilty to nine counts of terrorism brought against them by the Federal Government.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the defendants – Idris Omeiza, Al-Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdul Malik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Abubakar – were arraigned on Monday before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja. They are alleged to be members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group, operating a cell in Kogi State.
Justice Nwite ordered their remand in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) and fixed August 19, 2025, for the commencement of trial. The arraignment comes three years after the then Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, announced that the masterminds of the Owo attack had been apprehended.
The National Security Council had previously linked the assault to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a terror organisation responsible for several deadly attacks in Nigeria.
On the day of the incident, over 40 worshippers were killed and many others injured when armed assailants stormed the church during Sunday mass, detonating explosives and opening fire on congregants.
The late Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, had described the attack as a crime against humanity. He reiterated his call for the establishment of state police, stressing that a single centralised command could not guarantee adequate security in the country.
“We are doing our best with Amotekun, but it faces many limitations in acquiring the necessary equipment to combat these criminals,” Akeredolu said at the time.
