Owo Attack Survivor Says Justice Cannot Restore What Terrorism Took Away

“Justice Cannot Give Me Back My Legs”: Owo Attack Survivor Reflects on Pain Beyond the Courtroom

Photo credit: Punch Newspapers(Facebook)

Four years after one of Nigeria’s deadliest attacks on a place of worship, a survivor’s emotional words are reminding the nation that justice, while important, does not always heal the wounds left behind by terrorism.

Margaret Attah, a survivor of the horrific attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, has spoken candidly about the recent court judgment that sentenced four convicted terrorists to death.

For many Nigerians, the verdict represented a major milestone in the pursuit of justice. For Attah, however, it was also a painful reminder of everything that can never be restored.

On June 5, 2022, worshippers gathered at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church for what should have been an ordinary Sunday service.

Instead, the church became the scene of a devastating terrorist attack that shocked Nigeria and drew international attention.

Gunmen stormed the church during worship, killing dozens of people and leaving many others with life-changing injuries.

Among the survivors was Margaret Attah. She survived the attack, but at an unimaginable cost. The injuries she sustained resulted in the loss of both legs and the loss of sight in one eye.

What began as a normal day of worship became a life-altering tragedy from which she continues to recover years later.

The recent conviction and sentencing of four individuals linked to the attack was welcomed by many families affected by the tragedy.

For relatives of those killed and survivors still carrying physical and emotional scars, the judgment was viewed as a sign that accountability was finally being pursued.

Yet Attah’s response highlights a difficult reality.

While punishment may satisfy the demands of justice, it cannot erase suffering. It cannot restore lives lost. It cannot return missing limbs. And it cannot undo the trauma experienced by survivors.

Her words reflect the complicated emotions many victims of violent crimes often experience when court cases finally conclude.

For Attah, the impact of the attack extends far beyond the courtroom. Every day serves as a reminder of the violence she endured. The challenges of mobility, rehabilitation, medical care, and emotional recovery remain part of her reality.

Survivors of terrorist attacks often face battles that continue long after media attention fades. Physical injuries may heal partially, but emotional scars can remain for years. Families who lost loved ones continue to live with empty spaces that no legal verdict can fill.

Beyond discussing her personal losses, Attah also used the moment to draw attention to broader security concerns.

Like many Nigerians worried about ongoing insecurity, she believes authorities must focus not only on arresting perpetrators but also on dismantling the networks that support violent groups.

Her appeal reflects growing public concerns about kidnappings, terrorist activities, and violent crimes occurring across different parts of the country. For many citizens, preventing future attacks is just as important as punishing past offenders.

Court judgments are often reported through legal language, sentences, and verdicts. But behind every case are real people whose lives have been permanently changed. The Owo church attack is remembered not only because of the number of lives lost, but because of the stories of those who survived. 

Margaret Attah’s experience serves as a powerful reminder that justice has limits. It can hold criminals accountable. It can acknowledge wrongdoing. But it cannot always repair the damage left behind. 

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The sentencing of those convicted in connection with the Owo church attack marks an important chapter in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.

Yet the words of Margaret Attah reveal a deeper truth about the long-term impact of violence.

For survivors, justice may bring a measure of closure, but some losses remain beyond the reach of any court.

As Nigeria continues to confront security challenges, her story stands as a reminder that the true cost of terrorism is measured not only in statistics, but in the lives forever changed by its consequences.