Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — The prosecution of Abdulmalik Abdulazeez Obadaki, alleged mastermind of the 2012 Deeper Life Bible Church attack in Otite, near Okene in Kogi State, has intensified, earning praise from victims’ families and survivors who have endured more than a decade of pain and uncertainty. The renewed focus on the case has been widely welcomed as a sign of commitment to justice by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the judiciary.
Obadaki was recently re-arrested by the DSS after more than three years on the run following his escape from the July 2022 jailbreak at the Kuje Custodial Centre. Authorities say he was apprehended on November 15, 2025, and arraigned six days later before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on a six-count terrorism indictment related to the church shooting and subsequent violent crimes.
The 2012 attack on the Deeper Life Bible Church claimed the lives of more than 19 worshippers and left dozens more injured when gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles opened fire during a Bible study session — an assault widely attributed to the extremist group Ansaru.
At his arraignment, Obadaki pleaded guilty only to the charge of escaping lawful custody; he denied the other five counts, which include terrorism, conspiracy and aiding attacks. The matter has now been adjourned to January 26, 2026, with Obadaki remanded in DSS custody pending further proceedings.
For residents of Otite, the court actions mark a pivotal moment in a case that has long symbolised unresolved trauma. Community leaders, survivors and families of the deceased have publicly expressed relief at both the recapture and the speed with which the case is being advanced, noting that prolonged delays in prosecution had eroded their hope for justice.
“We had nearly given up on ever seeing justice served,” one local leader said, reflecting broad sentiment among villagers who continue to live with the psychological and social scars of the attack. “But hearing of his re-arrest and arraignment has rekindled our faith that the courts will deliver justice.”
Critics of past delays argue that the long interval before Obadaki’s prosecution contributed to feelings of abandonment among victims’ families. Many had watched as the suspect remained at large for years and even benefited from a mass prison break that freed him and others. The current proceedings, they say, demonstrate a more proactive posture from security agencies and the justice system.
Legal analysts also note that the accelerated trial could help reinforce public confidence in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism mechanisms. By ensuring that suspects in high-profile cases face trial without undue delay, the authorities aim to underline the message that no individual, no matter how elusive, is beyond accountability under the law.
Despite the progress, many observers stress that the path to justice remains complex and challenging. Cases involving terrorism and grave violent crimes require meticulous evidence-gathering, sensitive handling of witnesses and sustained judicial attention. The next hearing in late January is expected to shape the pace and direction of further proceedings, as the court considers the contested counts alongside the one to which Obadaki has already admitted guilt.
For the people of Otite — still bearing the memory of a horrific morning that upended community life — the ongoing trial has become a focal point of collective resolve to ensure that decades of suffering are acknowledged and addressed through the rule of law. Having waited years for accountability, victims and their families have embraced the momentum of the prosecution as a long-awaited step toward closure and justice.
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