💔 "We Saw Hell": Priest Recounts Owo Church Massacre in Chilling Court Testimony!
A Catholic priest gave a heart-wrenching, anonymous testimony before the Federal High Court in Abuja, reliving the horrific moment terrorists stormed St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, killing over 40 members of his congregation.
The trial of five alleged Al Shabab members accused of orchestrating the June 5, 2022, Owo Church attack saw a major breakthrough as a Catholic priest, identified only as "PW-1" or "SSA" for security, took the stand behind a protective shield.
The service, which was the final moment of the First Pentecost Sunday Mass, turned into a scene of unspeakable terror.
💣 Explosions and Chaos: "The Ground Opening to Swallow Us"
The priest recounted that as he was performing the last rites and the recessional hymn began, the attack started with a loud sound, followed quickly by sporadic gunfire outside. Moments later, the terrorists detonated explosives inside the church.
“I continued to hear the continuous shooting of guns and the use of about three explosives,” the priest told the court. He described the impact of the third explosive, which landed near where he was hiding with children: “The effect was like the ground opening to swallow us immediately.”
The priest explained that his initial concern was for the children, who affectionately called him "father," leading him and some adults to rush the minors to a small, attached "safe place."
🩸 A Scene of Devastation
When the gunfire finally stopped, the scene was one of total carnage. The priest described rushing out to see his choir master shot in the chest, desperately praying for him before trying to organize transport for the wounded and dead.
“When I got out, I saw some already dead on the floor. So, I shouted that if there are any of us who could still drive, let us begin to move our brothers and sisters to the hospital.”
He confirmed that the attack resulted in the deaths of over 40 worshippers, while many others suffered permanent physical injuries.
During cross-examination, the priest admitted that in the chaos and his urgency to save the victims, he could not identify or count the number of the attackers.
The trial continues on January 13 and 14, 2026, as the court seeks to deliver justice for one of the most brutal church attacks in Nigerian history.
❓ WHAT IS YOUR TAKE?
How can the Nigerian government ensure that witnesses in high-profile terrorism cases like the Owo massacre can testify without fear of retaliation? What do you hope the final verdict will be in this chilling case? Share your thoughts below! 👇
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