A Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted the autopsy report of victims of the 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, where 40 worshippers were killed and over 100 injured.
The report, submitted by a pathologist identified in court as PW-6 as ereported by ENigeria Newspaper, confirmed that the victims sustained multiple gunshot injuries, causing massive bleeding, organ rupture, and skeletal damage. The autopsy identified some victims by name, including Ajanaku Adesina, John Bosede, Onileke Ilerioluwa, and Onuoha Deborah. Justice Emeka Nwite marked the Certified True Copy of the report as an exhibit.
Earlier in the proceedings, a witness from the Ondo Security Network (Amotekun), identified as PW-7, testified that he was alerted by his state commander about the attack in progress. Upon reaching the church, he found blood-soaked floors and numerous corpses, including children, men, and women.
The witness recounted pursuing the attackers, who fled in a blue Nissan Sunny with registration AKR/895/AG, toward Ijegunman Village. During the pursuit, gunfire was exchanged; three attackers escaped deeper into the bush while one engaged the witness directly. A hunter assisting the team was killed in the exchange. The witness later identified the 2nd defendant, Idris, as the armed man involved in the attack.
He also told the court that he documented recovered items, including the attackers’ vehicle, using his Samsung Galaxy A12 phone. The images of the vehicle were subsequently admitted into evidence.
ENigeria News also reports that the trial, which involves five defendants accused of complicity in the attack, continues to hear testimonies and examine evidence relating to the massacre, which remains one of the deadliest attacks on a place of worship in Nigeria.
Justice Nwite adjourned further proceedings until today.
The court is expected to continue evaluating evidence and witness accounts, including forensic, photographic, and testimonial records, as part of efforts to ensure accountability for the attack.
