The Federal Government is set arraign five men accused of carrying out the deadly June 5, 2022 attack on Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.

The arraignment, which comes nearly three years after the brutal attack that claimed dozens of lives, is a significant development in the nation’s fight against terrorism.

The suspects, Idris Omeiza, Al-Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Abubakar, are scheduled to appear before Justice Obiorah Egwatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja. They face a nine-count charge bordering on terrorism.

The National Security Council had previously linked the brutal attack to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

On that tragic Sunday, heavily armed assailants stormed the church during mass, detonated explosives, and opened fire on worshippers, killing more than 40 people and injuring dozens.

The massacre shocked the nation and drew widespread condemnation both locally and internationally.

The commencement of trial will now begin to shed light on the full scope of the attack and the network of individuals involved.