A Nigerian court on Tuesday remanded five men accused over the 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, southwestern Nigeria, and set Sept. 10 to rule on their bail application.
The defendants, who pleaded not guilty when arraigned last week, sought bail at the opening of their trial, nearly three years after their arrests. The Owo massacre left at least 50 worshippers dead and more than 100 wounded, highlighting the spread of Islamist militancy beyond Nigeria’s northeast.
Defence lawyer Abdullahi Muhammad argued their prolonged detention was unjustified and asked the court to grant bail. Prosecutor Ayodele Adedipe opposed, citing national security concerns, alleged links to foreign terrorist groups, and claimed threats to witnesses as grounds to refuse.
The judge ordered the men held in Department of State Services custody pending the Sept. 10 decision.