Owo Church Attack Suspects Arraigned, Plead Not Guilty To Terrorism Charges

The Federal Government on Monday arraigned five men alleged to be behind the June 5, 2022, bombing of Saint Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

The defendants, Idris Omeiza, Al-Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Abubakar, were arraigned before Justice Obiorah Egwatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

They  pleaded not guilty to nine counts of terrorism filed against them by the Federal Government.

The men are alleged members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group, operating a cell in Kogi State.

Channels Television reports that Justice Nwite ordered that they be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) and fixed August 19, 2025, for the commencement of trial.

Their arraignment comes three years after the then Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, announced that those behind the Owo attack had been apprehended.

The National Security Council had previously linked the incident to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a terror group blamed for several deadly attacks in Nigeria.

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It could be recalled that over 40 worshippers were killed and scores injured when armed assailants invaded Saint Francis Catholic Church during a Sunday mass, detonating explosives and opening fire on congregants.

The then Ondo State Governor, the late Rotimi Akeredolu, had condemned the attack as a crime against humanity.

“This horrific act will not deter the indomitable spirit of our people in the fight against insecurity,” Akeredolu had declared, while renewing his calls for the creation of state police.

“A single police command cannot guarantee safety in this country. We must have state police now. We are doing our best with Amotekun, but Amotekun suffers a lot of limitations in getting all the equipment needed to fight these criminals,” he said.