Bishop Arogundade Recounts Owo Massacre — Four Years On, Wounds Still Raw

Most Rev Jude Arogundade, the head of the Ondo Diocese, has spoken publicly about the lasting trauma that communities in Owo continue to carry four years after gunmen attacked St. Francis Catholic Church during Sunday Mass. The assault killed dozens of worshippers and left families shattered in what remains one of Nigeria's deadliest church attacks in recent memory.

Communities Still Carrying the Pain

The bishop told Vanguard News that residents of Owo still struggle with the psychological and emotional scars of that day. "We still nurse wounds that refuse to heal," Arogundade said in his statement. The attack occurred on June 5, 2022, when armed men detonated explosives and opened fire on the congregation mid-service. Survivors described chaos as congregants tried to flee through shattered windows and doors.

Local community leaders in Owo confirm that memorial services have been held annually to honour the dead. Yet these gatherings often reopen old wounds rather than provide closure. The Ondo Diocese has repeatedly called for more secure places of worship, but church officials say concrete government action remains limited.

What Happened That Sunday Morning

Security sources say the attackers arrived at St. Francis Catholic Church around 10:30 am, a time when the building was packed with worshippers. The combination of an improvised explosive device and sustained gunfire overwhelmed the congregation within minutes. First responders arrived late, hampered by poor road infrastructure leading to the church site.

Emergency workers later counted bodies in the pews and on the surrounding grounds. The death toll exceeded figures initially reported in the hours after the assault. Families who lost loved ones have spent four years searching for answers about why the attack happened and who authorised it.

Government Response Falls Short

The Ondo State government promised investigations and compensation for victims' families. However, Arogundade's statement suggests those promises have not fully materialised. Church officials say many affected families have received little to no support from authorities. Some relatives of the dead continue to demand accountability through local advocacy groups.

Security analysts note that while the perpetrators have never been publicly identified or prosecuted, the attack bears hallmarks of patterns seen in violence across several Nigerian states. The federal government has faced criticism for failing to resolve high-profile cases like Owo.

Fear Lingers in Houses of Worship

Church leaders across Ondo State say attendance at Sunday services dropped noticeably in the months after the massacre. Some congregations introduced bag checks and reduced door openings. Others moved to earlier service times when crowds were smaller. The measures brought temporary relief but did not address the underlying sense of vulnerability.

Pastors in smaller towns near Owo say their members still ask whether churches have security personnel before deciding to attend. "People want to worship, but they also want to feel safe," one clergy member told local media. The anxiety has not fully lifted, even as memories of the attack fade for those who were not directly affected.

Seeking Justice Four Years Later

Legal advocates representing victims' families filed suit against the federal government in 2023, arguing that security failures contributed to the scale of the carnage. The case has moved slowly through the courts. A ruling on jurisdiction is expected later this year, according to court filings seen by Vanguard News.

Meanwhile, the Ondo Diocese continues to push for a formal commission of inquiry. Arogundade has personally appealed to state officials, calling for transparency about what intelligence the government possessed before the attack. Church leaders say they have received no formal response to those requests.

Memorials and the Path Forward

Each year on June 5, St. Francis Catholic Church holds a memorial service attended by survivors, families of the dead, and local officials. The gatherings serve as both tribute and protest, a way of keeping pressure on authorities to act. This year's memorial is scheduled for Thursday, according to church announcements.

Church officials say they hope the 2026 anniversary will mark a turning point. Arogundade has called on the federal government to release a public report on the investigation before the end of the year. Whether that report will materialise remains uncertain, but the diocese has made clear it will not stop demanding answers.