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Owo Massacre: Catholic Priest Narrates Church Bombing, Shootings in Court

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A Catholic priest on Thursday narrated before the Federal High Court in Abuja how terrorists launched a deadly attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, during Pentecost Sunday service in 2022.

Biztellers reports that the attack took the lives of more than 40 worshippers and injured over 100 others.

Testifying behind a protective screen and identified as “SSA” for security reasons, the priest appeared as the first prosecution witness in the trial of five suspects being prosecuted by the Department of State Services.

The defendants — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) — face a nine-count amended charge before Justice Emeka Nwite.

On the events of June 5, 2022, the priest said the attack occurred towards the end of the First Pentecost Sunday Mass, which he presided over.

While being led in evidence by DSS counsel, Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), the witness told the court that the attack took place towards the end of the First Pentecost Sunday celebration, which was attended by many worshippers.

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The priest, who said he presided over the service, stated that as the Mass was coming to a close, they suddenly heard a loud noise followed by sporadic gunshots, which created commotion and chaos among the congregation.

Facing the congregation, he initially thought someone had fallen, but then saw two members of the community quickly lock the main entrance.

An elder rushed to him and informed him they were under attack. At that moment, he also heard sporadic gunshots outside the church.

The witness said he initially wanted to run out but reconsidered because of the children present, adding that he and some members immediately tried to move the children to safety.

He said the only place available for refuge was the church restroom, where they continued to hear gunshots.

After two explosions went off, the third explosive detonated very close to where he was sheltering with the children, with an impact that felt as if the ground was about to open.

He stated, “The effect was like the ground opening to swallow us immediately. So, the attack continued. After a while, some of our church members came into this place and notified us that those who came to attack us had left.”

He said that after the attackers fled, he stepped out to see bodies and critically injured worshippers scattered around the church.

“Moving out with the children, I saw my choir master shot at the chest. He called me to pray for him. I did, but I told him I have to move him to the hospital.

“When I got out, I saw some already dead on the floor. So, I shouted that if there is any of us who could still drive, let us begin to move our brothers and sisters to the hospital,” the witness said.

During cross-examination, when asked if he counted the number of dead, the witness said it was impossible for him to ascertain the number of those killed under the commotion created by the attackers.
“It was with that violent attack that I understood that proverb that says, ‘the one struck or hit by a vehicle does not wait to take note of the vehicle’s number plate. So, I could not immediately count the number of those dead.

“Personally, I went two times to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, to take the casualties to the hospital. By the time I came the second time, there were already ambulances, both from FMC Owo and St. Louis Catholic Hospital, Owo, also moving the casualties to these two hospitals.

“The second time I got to FMC, the emergency ward was filled with these casualties. The casualties were those who were killed and injured.

“With the wailing, weeping and crying from people, I couldn’t even drive again. The care and healing of those injured continued,” the witness told the court.

The priest said he was later invited to the DSS office in Akure, Ondo State, where he made a statement.
During further cross-examination by defence lawyer Abdullahi Mohammad, the witness said he could not ascertain the number of attackers.

“With the commotion in the church, and my desire to rescue, especially the children, quickly as possible, I could not, and I did not identify or recognise those who carried out the attack.

“Therefore, I don’t know their number,” he added.

On how he managed to rescue the children, he explained that the children were at the foot of the sanctuary where he was standing when the attack started.

“As I said, with some adults, I moved with the children to a safe place. This safe place is the restroom, attached to the sanctuary as a building. From that building that is attached, you can move into the sanctuary and out of it,” he added.

Earlier at the commencement of proceedings, Adedipe informed the court that the charge had been amended to correct some minor errors.

He applied that the amended charge be read to the defendants, which was done, and the defendants all pleaded not guilty.

Justice Nwite adjourned the hearing to January 13 and 14, 2026, at 12 noon daily.

Crime

Navy Uncovers 132,000 Litres of Stolen Crude Oil in Bonny

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The Nigerian Navy has uncovered 132,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Allison community, Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State.

This was detailed in a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, in which he disclosed that the Forward Operating Base Bonny discovered the stolen crude oil under Operation Delta Sentinel, following actionable intelligence.

He said the operation uncovered 10 dugout pits, adding that the site and the recovered products were handled in accordance with extant regulations.

“The operation reinforces the importance of intelligence-led action in identifying concealed petroleum stockpiles and disrupting the infrastructure that enables crude oil theft and the unauthorised movement of petroleum products.

“The Nigerian Navy will sustain efforts to locate and dismantle illegal refining infrastructure and disrupt the networks facilitating crude oil theft across the Niger Delta,” the statement said.

READ ALSO: FCT Motorists, Commuters Divided over NNPC Petrol Discount

The Navy urged community leaders, residents, traditional institutions and other stakeholders to promptly report crude oil theft, illegal refining, suspicious petroleum storage and the unauthorised movement of petroleum products to the nearest security agency.

Timely, credible information, the statement said, could enable swift intervention and prevent illicit activities from expanding.

“Safeguarding the nation’s critical petroleum assets requires vigilance and active cooperation between security agencies and the communities they serve. The Navy therefore urges the public to remain alert and support lawful efforts to protect national resources,” Folorunsho concluded.

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Delta Police Arrest School Bus Driver Over Alleged Kidnap, Rape of 14-Year-Old Student

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The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old school bus driver, Onome Lucky Ughagha, over the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a 14-year-old female student in Sapele, after reportedly collecting ₦503,000 in ransom from the victim’s father.

The suspect was arrested on October 23, 2026, following investigations into the incident, which was reported to the Sapele Area Command on October 20 by the victim’s father.

The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, and dated October 25, 2026.

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According to the police, the father alleged that the suspect abducted his daughter while she was preparing to leave for school. The suspect reportedly contacted him afterward, demanded ₦503,000 and threatened to kill the minor if the ransom was not paid.

After the payment was made, the victim was allegedly abandoned along Oton Road in Sapele, where she was reunited with her family in a traumatised condition, with indications of sexual assault.

Following the report, operatives of the Sapele Area Command commenced investigations, while the victim was taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment.

The police also invited the school’s principal and vice principal for questioning as investigations continued.

The suspect reportedly abandoned the school bus and fled after the incident. However, acting on credible intelligence, police operatives traced him to his hideout in the Ajimele area of Sapele, where he was arrested on October 23.

During preliminary interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to his involvement in the crime, according to the police.

The command said arrangements were underway to transfer him to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Asaba for further investigation.

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Samuel E. Erale, condemned the alleged crime and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting children from violence and exploitation.

The commissioner reiterated the command’s commitment to “protecting children from all forms of violence and exploitation.”

He also assured the public that “investigations will be thorough and that anyone found culpable will be brought to justice.”

Erale further called on school authorities, parents and transport operators to exercise greater vigilance in safeguarding children, stressing that “the safety of every child entrusted to their care must remain paramount.”

 

 

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Two Suspected Political Thugs Killed After Attacking NDC Candidate’s Convoy in Ebonyi

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Two suspected political thugs have reportedly died following an attack on the convoy of Rollins Offia Nwali, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Ezza South Constituency in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon when Nwali’s motorcade was returning from Amazekewe community, according to a report published by SaharaReporters on Friday, October 23, 2026.

Security sources told the publication that the attackers allegedly opened fire on the candidate’s convoy, prompting security personnel attached to him to return fire after ensuring the safety of Nwali and his team.

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One of the suspected attackers reportedly died at the scene, while the second was said to have died later in hospital. One of the deceased was identified as Jude Nwamgbada.

The attackers were alleged to have been armed with AK-47 rifles and pump-action guns.

However, the identities and political affiliations of the attackers could not be independently verified as of the time of the report.

NDC Candidate Confirms Attack, Says Hilux Was Burnt

Nwali confirmed the incident in a statement shared on his Facebook page, disclosing that his Toyota Hilux was set ablaze during the attack.

He expressed gratitude to security agencies for ensuring the safety of everyone in his convoy.

“My motorcade was attacked today by armed hoodlums who opened fire on our vehicles while we were returning from Amazekewe. My Toyota Hilux was set ablaze and completely burnt in the attack,” he said.

“Thankfully, we are all safe, and I sincerely appreciate the professionalism and gallantry of the security agencies who ensured our safety.”

The NDC candidate also acknowledged reports of casualties among the attackers, expressing sympathy for those affected and their families.

“I have also been informed that there were casualties among those who carried out the attack. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to those affected and their families. Regardless of the circumstances, the loss of human life is deeply regrettable,” he added.

Nwali Warns Youths Against Political Violence

Following the incident, Nwali appealed to young people not to allow themselves to be used by politicians seeking power at the expense of their lives.

He urged youths to consider the consequences of participating in political violence, stressing that no political ambition justified the loss of human life.

“No political ambition is worth the life of any young person, and no young person should have to lose their life in pursuit of another person’s political ambition,” he said.

The candidate further insisted that the attack would not deter him from pursuing his political ambition and serving the people of Ezza South.

“As for us, we are prepared to make the sacrifices necessary to serve our people, and I assure you that no amount of intimidation or violence will deter us from this course,” he added.

Attack Comes Amid Reported Political Violence in South-East

The incident comes amid a series of reported attacks involving members and supporters of the NDC in the South-East, particularly in neighbouring Enugu State.

On October 10, suspected political thugs reportedly attacked NDC supporters at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Emene, Enugu, as they gathered to welcome the party’s governorship candidate, Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa.

Video footage of the incident reportedly showed supporters fleeing amid sporadic gunfire, while a suspected attacker was seen assaulting an NDC supporter with a plank.

Amnesty International subsequently condemned the attack, describing it as part of a troubling pattern of violence targeting opposition members.

Another incident occurred at the NDC secretariat in the Government Reserved Area of Enugu, where armed men allegedly opened fire during preparations for the party’s campaign flag-off.

The shooting reportedly left a man who was repairing a vehicle with a gunshot injury and damaged five parked cars.

Nworie Christopher, an NDC member from Affa in Udi Local Government Area, later died from injuries sustained during the attack on the party’s campaign office.

The Enugu State Police Command reportedly ordered an investigation into the shooting, while Governor Peter Mbah pledged to prosecute those responsible for the airport and secretariat attacks.

The NDC has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating intimidation against its members. However, the alleged APC affiliation of those involved in the Ebonyi incident has not been independently verified.

The party has also called for an independent investigation into previous attacks on its members in Enugu State.

Meanwhile, efforts to obtain comments from the Ebonyi State Police Command were unsuccessful, as its spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, reportedly did not answer calls or respond to a message seeking his reaction to the incident.

 

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