Two Years After Ondo State Massacre, Justice Still Too Far

Lagos, NIGERIA — Two years on, terrorists suspected of murdering more than 40 worshippers during Pentecost Sunday Mass in Owo, Ondo State, south-west Nigeria still have not been charged, but parishioners’ faith is stronger than ever, say local sources.

Father Michael Abugan – parish priest at St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Church, Owo where the massacre took place – said that the suspects are in police custody but have not yet been brought before a court.

On 5th June 2022, extremists opened fire and detonated explosives inside the church at the end of Mass, killing 41 people and injuring more than 70.

Father Abugan said his parish will be commemorating the second anniversary of the massacre with a special Mass and a talk on martyrdom.

The priest added that the survivors have been “very resolute, very committed, very resilient in their practice of faith” since the attack. Nurse Margaret Attah – who lost both legs and an eye in the atrocity and has been in a wheelchair since then – that despite the widespread fear in the community, “the church is always full on Sundays – to God be the glory”.

Mrs Attah said that “there is tension everywhere in Nigeria”, with many people “afraid to leave their homes” because kidnapping is common in parts of the country.

She added: “There is no peace of mind. We cannot sleep with our two eyes closed. “We cannot even travel short distances without fear. But we still thank God.” She stressed that prayer was people’s only hope, and “the future of the country is only God”.