FG Plans Arraignment of Five Over 2022 Owo Church Attack

The Nigerian Federal Government is set to arraign five men—Idris Omeiza, Al-Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Abubakar—accused of carrying out the June 5, 2022, bombing and shooting attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which killed over 40 worshippers and injured many more. The suspects face nine terrorism-related charges and will be arraigned before Justice Obiorah Egwatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on August 11, 2025. The attack, attributed by the National Security Council to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), involved gunmen and bombers targeting the congregation during Sunday Mass, causing widespread shock and condemnation nationwide. The suspects were arrested following a joint military, Department of State Services, and police operation, with arrests announced by then Chief of Defence Staff General Lucky Irabor in 2022. The arraignment marks a significant step toward justice for the victims and reaffirms the government's commitment to combating terrorism and ensuring national security. Authorities have called for public calm as the judicial process proceeds.