:Owo church attack

{{Further|Boko Haram |Boko Haram insurgency |Communal conflicts in Nigeria |Herder–farmer conflicts in Nigeria |Insurgency in Southeastern Nigeria |Nigerian bandit conflict |Religious violence in Nigeria}}

Ondo State is a relatively peaceful state in southwestern Nigeria. Most of the rest of the country{{Cite news |date=2022-06-05 |title=Nigeria Owo church attack: Gunmen kill Catholic worshippers in Ondo |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-61697409 |access-date=2022-06-05 |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605200447/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-61697409 |url-status=live }} suffers low-intensity conflicts, including a jihadist insurgency by Boko Haram mostly in the northeast, and a conflict with bandits in the northwest, both of which have continued for more than a decade. A separate low-level insurgency in the southeast led by the Indigenous People of Biafra movement began in 2021. An increase in violence between farmers and nomads in Ondo had been recorded prior to the massacre, and the state's government had recently passed restrictions on grazing.{{cite web |date=2022-06-05 |title=Nigeria: gunmen kill dozens in 'satanic' attack on Catholic church |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/05/several-dead-in-nigeria-as-gunmen-attack-catholic-church |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605162825/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/05/several-dead-in-nigeria-as-gunmen-attack-catholic-church |url-status=live }}

The attack took place at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in the Owo local government area and began at around 11:30 AM (GMT+1) as worshippers inside the church were attending Mass and celebrating Pentecost.{{cite web |date=2022-06-05 |title=Over 50 feared dead in Nigeria church attack, officials said|url=https://apnews.com/article/nigeria-africa-religion-government-and-politics-8775c5367906bbcf43e35673dc24c9e0 |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=AP NEWS |language=en |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605164504/https://apnews.com/article/nigeria-africa-religion-government-and-politics-8775c5367906bbcf43e35673dc24c9e0 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=2022-06-06 |title=Owo Church Attack: Police recover 3 unexploded bombs |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/06/owo-church-attack-police-recover-3-unexploded-bombs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607160343/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/06/owo-church-attack-police-recover-3-unexploded-bombs/ |archive-date=7 June 2022 |access-date=2022-06-07 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-GB}} A group of gunmen entered the church disguised as congregants, carrying bags that contained firearms. Another group took positions outside the church. Improvised explosive devices were detonated outside the church and both groups began firing on worshippers. Those outside the church shot directly into it while those disguised as congregants fired from inside, shooting a boy who was selling candy at the entrance{{cite web |title=Nigeria church massacre: What happened and why? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/6/nigeria-church-attack-what-where-and-why |access-date=2022-06-06 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en |archive-date=6 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606131249/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/6/nigeria-church-attack-what-where-and-why |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Adetayo |first=Ope |title='Last prayer': Nigerian church massacre survivors recount ordeal |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2022/6/6/last-prayer-nigerian-church-massacre-survivors-recount-ordeal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607131249/https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2022/6/6/last-prayer-nigerian-church-massacre-survivors-recount-ordeal |archive-date=7 June 2022 |access-date=2022-06-07 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}} and worshippers trying to reach two open sets of doors. The main entrance was locked{{cite web |date=2022-06-06 |title=Gunmen at Nigeria church shot from both inside and outside |url=https://apnews.com/article/politics-nigeria-africa-82ef6217818c22fed8cf7470f095d86f |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606125215/https://apnews.com/article/politics-nigeria-africa-82ef6217818c22fed8cf7470f095d86f |archive-date=6 June 2022 |access-date=2022-06-06 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}} and the gunmen inside shot at anyone who moved. Passersby also were struck by bullets.{{cite web |title=Dozens feared dead after gunmen attack Nigerian church, officials say |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/dozens-feared-dead-gunmen-attack-nigerian-church-officials/story?id=85196629 |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=ABC News |language=en |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605163507/https://abcnews.go.com/International/dozens-feared-dead-gunmen-attack-nigerian-church-officials/story?id=85196629 |url-status=live }} Videos of the inside of the church showed bodies of victims lying in pools of blood across the floor.{{cite web |date=2022-06-05 |title=UPDATED: Many killed in Ondo church attack |url=https://punchng.com/updated-many-killed-in-ondo-church-attack/ |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605164647/https://punchng.com/updated-many-killed-in-ondo-church-attack/ |url-status=live }} After the attack the gunmen fled using a stolen Nissan Sunny.

A priest who survived the massacre said that the attack took place when the church "[was] about to round off service. I had even asked people to start leaving, that was how we started hearing gunshots from different angles. We hid inside the church but some people had left when the attack happened. We locked ourselves in the church for 20 minutes. When we heard that they had left, we opened the church and rushed victims to the hospital."{{cite web |date=2022-06-05 |title='We were locked in the church for over 20 minutes', priest speaks on Ondo attack |url=https://dailytrust.com/breaking-we-were-locked-in-the-church-for-over-20-mins-priest-speaks-on-ondo-attack |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606020846/https://dailytrust.com/breaking-we-were-locked-in-the-church-for-over-20-mins-priest-speaks-on-ondo-attack |archive-date=6 June 2022 |access-date=2022-06-06 |website=Daily Trust |language=en}} Fr Andrew Adeniyi Abayomi said he tried to protect parishioners, I remained in the inner part of the sacristy. I could not run as I was surrounded by children, while some adults clung to me, some even inside my chasuble. I shielded them just as a hen shields her chicks.{{Cite web |last=ACN |first= |date=2022-06-15 |title=Attack turns Pentecost Mass into bloodbath: "I shielded them as a hen shields her chicks", Nigerian priest recalls |url=https://acninternational.org/nigerian-massacre-interview/ |access-date=2022-11-18 |website=ACN International |language=en-US}} "Another priest who had temporarily left the building prior to the attack said he was walking back to the church when survivors running outside stopped him and told him that a massacre was taking place inside.{{cite web |date=2022-06-06 |title=Nigerian forces hunt for gunmen who killed 50 at church |url=https://apnews.com/article/politics-nigeria-africa-82ef6217818c22fed8cf7470f095d86f |access-date=2022-06-06 |website=AP NEWS |language=en |archive-date=6 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606125215/https://apnews.com/article/politics-nigeria-africa-82ef6217818c22fed8cf7470f095d86f |url-status=live }}

A witness said that he saw five gunmen who perpetrated the attack.{{cite web |title=Worshippers gunned down during church service in Nigeria |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/5/worshippers-killed-during-church-service-in-nigeria |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605165743/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/5/worshippers-killed-during-church-service-in-nigeria |url-status=live }} Two police officers were killed.{{cite web |last=Babajide |first=Abdul |date=2022-06-05 |title=Foreigners from Mali trained in Libya behind attack on Owo Catholic church – Akeredolu |url=https://dailypost.ng/2022/06/05/foreigners-from-mali-trained-in-libya-behind-attack-on-owo-catholic-church-akeredolu/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605170918/https://dailypost.ng/2022/06/05/foreigners-from-mali-trained-in-libya-behind-attack-on-owo-catholic-church-akeredolu/ |archive-date=5 June 2022 |access-date=2022-06-06 |website=Daily Post Nigeria |language=en-US}}

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said on 7 June that at least 22 dead bodies from the attack were in the local hospital's morgue, including two children,{{cite web |date=2022-06-07 |title=Infants among 22 worshippers killed in Nigeria church attack |url=https://apnews.com/article/nigeria-west-africa-religion-f6004170d56e53d8cecfb2457feb38b5 |access-date=2022-06-07 |website=AP NEWS |language=en |archive-date=7 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607153815/https://apnews.com/article/nigeria-west-africa-religion-f6004170d56e53d8cecfb2457feb38b5 |url-status=live }} and that at least 58 had been injured.{{Cite news |date=2022-06-07 |title=Nigeria church attack killed 22 and injured 50, official says |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/nigeria-church-attack-killed-22-injured-50-official-2022-06-07/ |access-date=2022-06-07 |archive-date=7 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607132733/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/nigeria-church-attack-killed-22-injured-50-official-2022-06-07/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Api |first=Cue |date=2022-06-09 |title=Nigeria church attack: Toll rises to 40, over 60 injured |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/nigeria-church-attack-toll-rises-to-40-over-60-injured/article65510901.ece |access-date=2022-06-09 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=9 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609190939/https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/nigeria-church-attack-toll-rises-to-40-over-60-injured/article65510901.ece |url-status=live }}{{subscription required}} Many of the dead bodies at the church had been taken by their family members to a private burial at home, indicating a higher death toll.{{Efn|A witness also told CNN that many of the congregants of the Igbo minority "carried their dead back to the southeast of the country."{{Cite web |author=Stephanie Busari |title=Funeral mass held for victims of church gun massacre in Nigeria |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/17/africa/funeral-nigeria-church-victims-intl/index.html |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=CNN |quote ="Some Igbo people carried their dead back to the southeast of the country. I'm still not sure how many died," she said.

}}}} On 9 June the government revised its death toll to at least 40, saying that 61 injured survivors were still in the hospital.{{cite web |last=Abuja |first=Reuters in |date=2022-06-09 |title=Islamic State affiliate suspected of Catholic church massacre, Nigeria says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/09/islamic-state-affiliate-suspected-catholic-church-massacre-nigeria-iswap |access-date=2022-06-09 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=9 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609190440/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/09/islamic-state-affiliate-suspected-catholic-church-massacre-nigeria-iswap |url-status=live }} Another wounded victim died of his injuries later on.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-14 |title=Owo massacre: Another victim dies in hospital |url=https://punchng.com/owo-massacre-another-victim-dies-in-hospital/ |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}} At least five children are confirmed to have been killed.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-17 |title=Nigeria funeral for church attack victims draws anger, tears |url=https://apnews.com/article/nigeria-africa-religion-87ef9b25b4880f674a96b035c9c98c87 |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}

Witnesses and media agencies placed the number of people killed at over 50. Local politician Adelegbe Timileyin said there were over 50 fatalities including children, while other sources estimated a higher death count.{{cite web |title=Over 50 Feared Dead in Nigeria Church Attack, Officials say |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/dozens-feared-dead-in-nigeria-church-attack/6604188.html |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=VOA |language=en |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605165743/https://www.voanews.com/a/over-50-feared-dead-in-nigeria-church-attack-officials-say/6604188.html |url-status=live }} A doctor said that at least 50 bodies had been recovered.{{Cite news |last=Owoeye |first=Fikayo |date=2022-06-05 |title=At least 50 dead after gunmen attack worshippers at church in Nigeria |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/gunmen-kill-worshippers-during-church-service-nigeria-media-2022-06-05/ |access-date=2022-06-05 |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605155954/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/gunmen-kill-worshippers-during-church-service-nigeria-media-2022-06-05/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Staff |first=Foreign |title=Children are among dead in church attack in Nigeria |newspaper=The Times |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/article/children-are-among-dead-in-church-attack-in-nigeria-0880vc2k9 |access-date=2022-06-05 |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=6 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606051234/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/children-are-among-dead-in-church-attack-in-nigeria-0880vc2k9 |url-status=live }} Timileyin also said that the priest had been abducted, which the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ondo denied.{{cite web |date=2022-06-05 |title=Owo attack: No priest was kidnapped, says Catholic church |url=https://punchng.com/owo-attack-no-priest-was-kidnapped-says-catholic-church/ |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605175518/https://punchng.com/owo-attack-no-priest-was-kidnapped-says-catholic-church/ |url-status=live }} The Diocese's reverend clarified that the priest and other clergymen were safe.{{Cite news |last=Owoeye |first=Fikayo |date=2022-06-05 |title=At least 50 killed in massacre at Catholic church in southwest Nigeria |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/gunmen-kill-worshippers-during-church-service-nigeria-media-2022-06-05/ |access-date=2022-06-05 |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605155954/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/gunmen-kill-worshippers-during-church-service-nigeria-media-2022-06-05/ |url-status=live }} Ondo State House of Assembly majority leader Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi visited the attack site and counted at least 20 dead, estimating the death toll at somewhere between 70 and 100.{{Cite news |last1=Ezeamalu |first1=Ben |last2=Peltier |first2=Elian |date=2022-06-05 |title=Dozens Feared Dead in Church Attack in Nigeria |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/05/world/africa/nigeria-church-attack.html |access-date=2022-06-06 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=6 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606101951/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/05/world/africa/nigeria-church-attack.html |url-status=live }} Doctors told reporters that the attack had caused a mass-casualty incident and the local hospitals were overwhelmed with victims. ABC News cited an unnamed source who reported there were bodies of 82 victims stored in a local morgue while another source briefed on the recent U.S. intelligence assessment estimated deaths to be above 80.{{cite web | title=Over 80 feared dead in attack on Catholic church in Nigeria, sources say | website=ABC News | date=2022-06-09 | url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/80-feared-dead-attack-catholic-church-nigeria-sources/story?id=85262564 | access-date=2022-06-13}}

Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, cancelled his trip in Abuja and went to the scene of the attack;{{cite news |agency=Reuters |date=5 June 2022 |title=Several dead in Nigeria as gunmen attack Catholic church |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/05/several-dead-in-nigeria-as-gunmen-attack-catholic-church |access-date=7 June 2022 |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605162825/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/05/several-dead-in-nigeria-as-gunmen-attack-catholic-church |url-status=live }} he called it "vile and satanic",{{cite news |date=5 June 2022|title='Evil and wicked': Dozens killed in Nigeria church attack |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/5/worshippers-killed-during-church-service-in-nigeria |access-date=7 June 2022 |publisher=Al Jazeera |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605165743/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/5/worshippers-killed-during-church-service-in-nigeria |url-status=live }} as well as a "black Sunday in Owo".{{cite news |author=Nimi Princewill and Amy Cassidy |title=Mass shooting at Nigeria church kills dozens, says local lawmaker |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/05/africa/mass-shooting-nigeria-church-intl/index.html |access-date=7 June 2022 |website=CNN |date=5 June 2022 |archive-date=6 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606021619/https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/05/africa/mass-shooting-nigeria-church-intl/index.html |url-status=live }} Akeredolu vowed to "commit every available resource to hunt down these assailants and make them pay". President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, condemned the massacre saying it was a "heinous attack on worshippers". Pope Francis prayed for the victims who were "painfully stricken in a moment of celebration". The rebel Indigenous People of Biafra organization, which seeks to restore the separatist Igbo state of Biafra, called the attack as an "unacceptable" action and an Islamic terror attack, asserting that "Christians should stop their dependence on government of Nigeria for security of life and properties... The current regime has only one interest and that is [the] Fulani interest." IPOB said that Biafran separatist groups should defend churches in Southern Nigeria.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-08 |title=IPOB declares attack on Ondo Catholic Church worshippers unacceptable |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/06/ipob-declares-attack-on-ondo-catholic-church-worshippers-unacceptable/ |access-date=2022-06-11 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-GB}}

The massacre was received with widespread shock from the Nigerian public. The response by President Buhari and his All Progressives Congress party was criticized as inadequate, and Buhari sparked controversy after he was caught hosting a party with other APC members hours after the attack.{{Cite news |date=6 June 2022 |title=Nigeria Owo church attack: Blood on the altar |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-61707872 |access-date=7 June 2022 |archive-date=6 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606212720/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-61707872 |url-status=live }} The Amotekun Corps announced deployment of its forces to protect churches and mosques in the state on 12 June.{{Cite news |date=13 June 2022 |title=Ondo Church Attack: Osun Deploys Amotekun Security Personnel To Protect Churches, Mosques |work=Sahara Reporters |url=https://saharareporters.com/2022/06/13/ondo-church-attack-osun-deploys-amotekun-security-personnel-protect-churches-mosques |access-date=13 June 2022}} Local elders, including Owo's king Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, attempted to calm anger among the residents after the massacre in order to prevent reprisal attacks.

The attack made headlines across the world, with Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need issuing a statement that read: "ACN denounces this outburst of violence, yet another terrorist act in Nigeria, one more on the long list of crimes against Christians. The country in general has been rocked by episodes of violence, banditry and kidnappings that, although affecting all ethnic and religious groups in the nation, have led to a long list of major attacks on the Christian community over the last few decades (...) ACN calls on all political and religious leaders in the world to firmly and explicitly condemn this terrorist attack at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, in southwest Nigeria, during Pentecost Sunday celebrations."{{Cite web |last=ACN |first= |date=2022-06-07 |title=ACN statement about the Pentecost massacre in St. Francis Xavier Church in Owo, Nigeria |url=https://acninternational.org/massacre-in-owo-nigeria/ |access-date=2022-11-18 |website=ACN International |language=en-US}}

In October 2022, Bishop Jude Arogundade of Ondo backed a petition by the UK office of ACN asking the UK Government to call on their Nigerian counterparts to bring to justice those responsible for the massacre and other similar atrocities.{{cite web |last1=ACN UK |title=Nigeria Petition |url=https://acnuk.org/petition-2022/#petform |access-date=26 April 2023}}{{cite web |last1=ACN UK |title=NIGERIA: Bishop backs petition demanding justice for persecuted Christians |url=https://acnuk.org/news/bishop-backs-petition-demanding-justice-for-persecuted-christians/ |access-date=26 April 2023}}

A state funeral for the victims was organized by Nigerian authorities on 17 June. As the funeral mass was held, Akeredolu promised to improve the security situation in the state and admitted that he bore responsibility for failing to provide security.{{Cite news |date=17 June 2022 |title=Nigerian Authorities Hold Mass Burial Ceremony for Victims of Church Massacre |work=Voice of America |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/nigerian-authorities-hold-mass-burial-ceremony-for-victims-of-church-massacre/6621965.html |access-date=18 June 2022}}{{Cite web |author=Stephanie Busari |title=Funeral mass held for victims of church gun massacre in Nigeria |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/17/africa/funeral-nigeria-church-victims-intl/index.html |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=CNN}} Bishop Jude Arogundade of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ondo criticized the Buhari Administration for "empty promises" regarding maintaining security and preventing terrorism, telling the funeral-goers they needed to "claim this country back from those destroying it." Bishop Emmanuel Badejo, who was among the officiating clergy at the mass funeral, demanded that the government "wake up, sit up and act up to secure lives and properties all over Nigeria."

No group has yet claimed responsibility, while numerous Owo locals from the Yoruba ethnic group have accused members of the Hausa and Fulani herdsmen groups of complicity.{{Cite news |last1=Adelaja |first1=Temilade |last2=Sanni |first2=Kazeem |date=6 June 2022 |title=Pain and horror follow massacre in Nigerian Catholic church |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/nigeria-church-massacre-victims-suffered-range-injuries-doctor-says-2022-06-06/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606225330/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/nigeria-church-massacre-victims-suffered-range-injuries-doctor-says-2022-06-06/ |archive-date=6 June 2022}} Police found three undetonated improvised explosive devices at the scene, as well as several shells from AK-47 ammunition.{{cite web |date=6 June 2022 |title=Owo Church Attack: Police recover 3 unexploded bombs |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/06/owo-church-attack-police-recover-3-unexploded-bombs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607022946/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/06/owo-church-attack-police-recover-3-unexploded-bombs/ |archive-date=7 June 2022 |access-date=7 June 2022 |website=Vanguard News}}{{Cite news |last1=Adelaja |first1=Temilade |last2=Sanni |first2=Kazeem |date=7 June 2022 |title=Police recover explosives following massacre in Nigerian Catholic church |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/nigeria-church-massacre-victims-suffered-range-injuries-doctor-says-2022-06-06/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606225330/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/nigeria-church-massacre-victims-suffered-range-injuries-doctor-says-2022-06-06/ |archive-date=6 June 2022}}

The federal government of Nigeria said the Islamic State – West Africa Province (ISWAP) group was behind the attack on 9 June. Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola said police were pursuing the culprits.{{Cite news |last=Obiezu |first=Timothy |date=10 June 2022 |title=Nigerian Officials Say Terror Group ISWAP Behind Church Massacre |work=Voice of America |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/nigerian-authorities-say-terror-group-iswap-responsible-for-church-massacre-/6612480.html |access-date=13 June 2022}} Akeredolu said the government's allegation was "too hasty" since ISWAP tends to take responsibility for its attacks.{{Cite web |last=Adeyeye |first=Oluwafemi |date=2022-06-10 |title=Ondo Church Massacre: FG's conclusion on ISWAP too hasty – Akeredolu |url=https://witnessngr.com/ondo-church-massacre-fgs-conclusion-on-iswap-too-hasty-akeredolu/ |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=The Witness Newspaper |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-06-10 |title=Owo Massacre: FG's conclusion on ISWAP too hasty – Gov Akeredolu |url=https://news360.info/2022/06/10/owo-massacre-fgs-conclusion-on-iswap-too-hasty-gov-akeredolu/ |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=News360 Info – Breaking News, Nigerian News and Multimedia, World News. |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Ogbuanoh |first=Jossey |title=Ginja Me – News: Owo massacre: Federal Governments conclusion on ISWAP too hasty – Akeredolu |url=https://ginja.me/ |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=Ginja Me |language=en-GB}}

The Amotekun Corps on 23 June announced that it had arrested some of the suspects and seized evidentiary weapons and vehicles.{{cite web|url=https://radionigeria.gov.ng/2022/06/23/amotekun-arrests-some-persons-linked-to-owo-church-attack/|title=Amotekun arrests suspects of Owo church attack|author=Leke Adegbite|work=Radio Nigeria|date=23 June 2022|access-date=25 June 2022}} In August 2022, the Nigerian military announced the arrests of another six suspects and added that one of them was an ISWAP leader who was planning more attacks. Akeredolu meanwhile announced the arrest of a person accused of having provided housing to the suspects before the attack was carried out.{{cite web|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2022-08/nigeria-owo-attack-arrest-catholic-church-military-ondo.html|title=Nigeria: Suspects in Owo Church attack apprehended|author=Benedict Mayaki|work=Vatican News|date=12 August 2022|access-date=22 August 2022}}

• List of massacres in Nigeria
• Religious violence in Nigeria
• Boko Haram insurgency

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• {{Cite news |last1=Adelaja |first1=Temilade |last2=Sanni |first2=Kazeem |date=2022-06-06 |title=Blood on the church walls – gruesome scenes after Nigeria attack |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/blood-church-walls-gruesome-scenes-after-nigeria-attack-2022-06-06/ |access-date=2022-06-07}}
• {{Cite news |date=2022-06-17 |title=Nigeria's Owo church massacre: Who are the victims? |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-61830085 |access-date=2022-06-18}}
• {{cite web |title=Please sign ACN's Nigeria petition |url=https://acnuk.org/petition-2022/#petform |language=en-GB |work=ACN UK |access-date=26 April 2023}}

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