A Nigerian judge delivered long-awaited verdicts on Wednesday in the trial of five defendants accused of carrying out the deadliest terrorist attack on a church in the country's recent history. The June 2022 bombing at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo killed more than 40 worshippers and wounded dozens more, shocking the nation and drawing international condemnation. The verdict marks the culmination of a trial that has stretched over two years, with families of victims closely watching proceedings at a federal high court in Akure, the capital of Ondo State.
What Happened in Owo
On June 5, 2022, during a Sunday Mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, a bomber detonated an explosive device as congregants gathered for worship. The attack killed at least 40 people and injured more than 80 others, according to figures from the Nigerian police. The church, located in the heart of Owo town, was filled with families including children and elderly worshippers. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as the blast ripped through the nave, collapsing part of the building and sending smoke billowing over the town. Emergency responders arrived to find bodies scattered across the pews and blood pooling on the floor of the historic church.
The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) immediately claimed responsibility, releasing a statement through its propaganda channels identifying the attacker as a suicide bomber. Nigerian authorities later confirmed the group was behind the attack, marking a significant escalation in the terror threat facing places of worship in Africa's most populous nation. The attack represented one of the deadliest strikes on Christian targets in Nigeria's history, occurring in a region where tensions between pastoralist communities and farming groups have fueled cycles of violence.
The Trial and the Defendants
Authorities arrested several suspects in the weeks following the attack, with the federal government subsequently charging five individuals with terrorism, murder, and conspiracy. The trial opened at the Federal High Court in Akure, presided over by Justice Donald Uka. Prosecutors presented evidence including forensic analysis of explosive remnants, witness testimonies, and surveillance footage they said tied the defendants to the planning and execution of the attack. Defense lawyers contested some of the evidence, arguing that their clients were wrongly identified and that investigative procedures were flawed.
Throughout the proceedings, relatives of victims filled the courtroom, many travelling from Owo and surrounding communities to witness the case unfold. The five defendants stood trial on multiple counts under Nigeria's Terrorism Prevention Act, which carries severe penalties including death sentences for those convicted. The judge heard closing arguments in recent weeks before scheduling Wednesday's verdict delivery, a date many observers had anticipated since the trial began in late 2022.
Broader Security Context
The Owo attack occurred amid an already tense security environment across Nigeria's middle belt states, where armed groups have repeatedly targeted villages, markets, and places of worship. ISWAP and its offshoot groups have conducted campaigns targeting Christians, often framing attacks as retaliation for operations by Nigerian security forces. The Nigerian military has carried out repeated air and ground operations against militant strongholds in the northeast, but analysts say the groups retain the ability to mount strikes far from their base areas.
Security experts note that attacks on religious sites represent a deliberate strategy to inflame sectarian tensions and undermine public confidence in the government's ability to protect citizens. The Owo bombing triggered calls from religious leaders for improved protection of churches, mosques, and other soft targets. In the aftermath, the Nigerian government announced measures to enhance security at places of worship, though critics say more needs to be done. The attack also strained relations between Christian communities and security agencies, with some worshippers expressing frustration over what they perceived as slow responses to threats in the region.
Reactions and What Comes Next
Church leaders and victim families have awaited the verdict with a mixture of hope and anxiety, seeking both accountability and a sense of closure after more than two years of uncertainty. The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos described the attack as a wound that has not healed for many families, saying Wednesday's verdict could not bring back the dead but would demonstrate that the justice system functions. Human rights groups have urged the Nigerian government to ensure fair trials and transparency throughout the process, warning against potential miscarriage of justice.
The judge is scheduled to deliver sentencing after announcing the verdicts, with the prosecution expected to request the maximum penalty. Nigerian law provides for death by firing squad for terrorism convictions. The defence has indicated it may pursue appeals, a process that could extend proceedings for months or years. International observers including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime have monitored the trial, citing its importance as a test of Nigeria's capacity to prosecute complex terrorism cases through the civilian court system rather than military tribunals.
The Nigerian military has carried out repeated air and ground operations against militant strongholds in the northeast, but analysts say the groups retain the ability to mount strikes far from their base areas. Security experts note that attacks on religious sites represent a deliberate strategy to inflame sectarian tensions and undermine public confidence in the government's ability to protect citizens.
