Survivors of the attack on Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo, the headquarters of the Owo Local Council Area of Ondo State, are still suffering a year after the incident occurred.

The attack, which took place on June 5, 2022, resulted in the deaths of 41 worshippers and left another 80 with injuries of varying degrees.

Although the church has been renovated, it was gathered that the surviving worshippers still bear the emotional scars of the traumatic event.

Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye, the traditional ruler of the town, expressed disappointment with the government’s failure to bring the perpetrators to justice one year after.

Despite reports that some suspects had been apprehended by the Nigerian Army, he stated that no progress had been made in prosecuting those responsible.

The monarch’s lack of progress has left the community disturbed and anxious for justice.

Revd. Father Michael Abuga, the parish priest, revealed that attendance at the church had decreased since the attack, but he remained optimistic that worshippers would soon return.

“The victims’ confidence would be fully restored once the perpetrators were apprehended and brought to justice.”

Father Abuga expressed gratitude to God for the worshippers who had returned to the church after the incident, but acknowledged that it was not yet at full capacity, with only about 60 percent of the usual attendance.

He remained hopeful that with time, more people would return to the church, particularly as security measures improved and people felt safer.