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The Digest:

Three years after gunmen stormed St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, killing at least 40 worshippers, five suspects have been arraigned on terrorism charges. The accused pleaded not guilty in an Abuja court as the nation remembers one of its deadliest attacks on a place of worship.

Key Points:
  • Five men were charged: Jimoh Idris, Abdul Malik Omeaha, Adamu Idris, Jimoh Abdul Malik, and Abdulhaleem Idris.
  • All pleaded not guilty and have been remanded in custody.
  • The attack occurred on June 5, 2022, during a church service.
  • The third anniversary was marked by online tributes and calls for justice.
  • The Ondo State government faced criticism for demolishing a victims' memorial park in June 2025.
  • The incident highlighted the persistent threat of violence at religious sites in Nigeria.
  • Families of the victims continue to await a conclusive trial and lasting justice.
As the wheels of justice turn slowly, the memory of the massacre remains a painful symbol of the vulnerability of faith and community in a landscape of violence.

Sources: Nigerian Courts, Social Media