OWO — 2022 · Major Tragedy
The Owo Church Attack
On Pentecost Sunday, 5 June 2022, gunmen, some of whom had mingled with worshippers, attacked St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, during Mass, using explosives and firearms. At least 40 people were killed and many more wounded. The federal government linked the attack to Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Security forces arrested suspects in the following months. In June 2026 the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted four of five defendants on terrorism charges and sentenced them to death, acquitting the fifth.
- Date
- 2022
- Place
- Ondo State, Nigeria, Owo, NG
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Solved
- Coordinates
- 7.1960, 5.5860 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 5 June 2022St Francis Xavier Church was attacked.
- August 2022The military announced arrests linked to the attack.
- August 2025The terrorism trial of five defendants began in Abuja.
- June 2026Four defendants were sentenced to death and one acquitted.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Owo church attack en.wikipedia.org ↗
- ThisDay — Owo church attack: court sentences four to death thisdaylive.com ↗
- Vanguard — Aiyedatiwa hails death sentence for four convicts vanguardngr.com ↗
- Wikipedia
- ThisDay
- Vanguard
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.