A Catholic priest on Wednesday gave a solemn account before the Federal High Court in Abuja, recounting how armed attackers invaded St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, during worship on June 5, 2022. He explained that the incident claimed the lives of many parishioners and left others seriously injured.
Testifying as the first prosecution witness in the trial of five alleged members of the Al Shabab terrorist group, the priest—whose identity was concealed for security reasons—said the attackers disrupted the service just as it was about to end. He narrated that the worshippers had begun the closing hymn when sudden gunfire created panic in the church.
He told the court that he initially mistook the loud noise for a minor disturbance until he noticed members of the congregation rushing to secure the main entrance. An elder quickly informed him that the church was under attack, urging him to escape to safety.
The priest explained that he hesitated because many children were inside the sanctuary. He eventually led some adults in moving the children into a small adjoining room used as a safe space. While there, he heard repeated gunshots and the blast of explosives, which shook the entire building.
After the shooting stopped, some members alerted him that the attackers had fled. Stepping out, he saw several injured worshippers and immediately began helping those who could be transported to the hospital. He personally drove casualties to the Federal Medical Centre in Owo and described the emergency ward as overwhelmed upon his return with more victims.
He added that he later provided a statement at the Department of State Services (DSS) office in Akure. During cross-examination, he told the court that the confusion during the attack made it impossible for him to identify or count the assailants.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the trial to January 13 and 14, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
