Owo Church Massacre: Four Years After, Pain Persists as Justice Finally Takes Shape

By Dayo Afolabi, Akure 

Today marks four years since the tragic terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, where dozens of worshippers were brutally killed during a Sunday service on June 5, 2022.

Although four years have passed since the incident, the painful memories remain fresh in the hearts of the victims' families, residents of Owo, and Nigerians across the country. 

The attack continues to serve as a grim reminder of the devastating impact of insecurity on communities.

As victims and concerned stakeholders continue to seek justice, a recent judgment by a Federal High Court, which sentenced four men to death by hanging for their roles in the attack, has been viewed as a significant step toward accountability, as the ruling underscores the government's commitment to combating crime, ensuring justice for victims, and deterring future acts of terrorism.

In this report, Crest FM's Dayo Afolabi examines the significance of the court's judgment for the victim`s family and residents of Owo, as well as the lessons learned by the State and federal Government in preventing similar tragedies as the community marks the fourth anniversary of the attack.

In the early hours of Sunday, June 5, 2022, while some residents were already in church, others preparing for worship or returning from their daily activities, news broke across Ondo State of a deadly terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Owo Local Government Area.

The tragic incident sent shockwaves across the state and the nation. Sympathizers, security agencies, media organizations, and top government officials, including the then Governor of Ondo State, the late Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, visited the scene of the attack. 

The church premises bore the scars of the violence, with blood-stained walls, shattered windows, and several victims receiving treatment in both private and government-owned hospitals.

According to reports, at least 40 worshippers lost their lives in the attack, making it one of the deadliest incidents in the state's history.

The massacre represented a dark period in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Then Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, also visited the scene and some of the injured victims receiving treatment in hospitals in Owo.

Four years after the incident, many Nigerians, particularly families of the victims, continue to demand justice for those killed and injured in the attack.

In August 2022, a joint operation by the military and the Department of State Services (DSS) led to the arrest of four suspects linked to the attack in Eika, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State. 

Their arrest paved the way for prosecution by the Federal Government, a process currently being overseen by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, who inherited the case from his predecessor, Abubakar Malami.

After years of legal proceedings, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, sentenced four terrorists to death by hanging for their roles in the Owo church attack.

The judgment has been widely welcomed by stakeholders, particularly as the anniversary of the tragic incident approaches.

Some injured victims and family members expressed satisfaction with the court's verdict, while urging the government to ensure the full implementation of the judgment.

Reacting to the judgment, Ondo State Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, commended the judiciary and security agencies for securing the conviction and death sentence of the four suspects. 

He described the verdict as "a victory for justice, the rule of law, and for all victims of the heinous attack that claimed the lives of innocent worshippers and left many others injured."

Similarly, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, welcomed the judgment and described it as a significant step towards justice. 

The monarch, however, urged the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to identify, arrest, and prosecute all individuals who may have been directly or indirectly involved in the attack.

Also speaking, legal practitioner Segun Akeredolu described the judgment as a landmark decision in the fight against terrorism, noting that it sends a strong message that perpetrators of violent crimes will be held accountable under the law.

As the country await further development on the case, it is important for government to be more proactive in securing the lives and property of citizens while ensuring that their is adquate closure to finding justice for the slained victims and their families.