A defendant standing trial over the 2022 attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that operatives of the Department of State Services threatened and coerced him while in detention.
The suspect, Al-Qasim Idris, made the allegation on Wednesday while testifying before Justice Emeka Nwite.
Idris claimed that he and other detainees were subjected to maltreatment during their time in custody, adding that he was hospitalised for three days as a result.
“After spending three days in the hospital, we were moved to an underground cell,” he told the court.
“Two days later, a female DSS officer questioned me about my alleged involvement. I told her I was innocent, but she insisted I was lying.”
According to him, the officer allegedly issued threats to force a confession.
“She told me if I did not admit to the offence, I could remain there for 50 years without anyone knowing my whereabouts. She also said if I died in detention, my body could be fed to crocodiles,” Idris said.
The defendant further alleged that he was compelled to respond to a written statement under duress.
“They asked me to answer ‘yes’ to questions I knew and ‘I don’t know’ to others, even when I did not understand them,” he added.
Idris also recounted a separate encounter with another DSS operative, whom he identified as Segun Kayode, who allegedly threatened him with death.
“He told me there were orders to kill me but that he was giving me a chance to tell the truth,” Idris testified. “I told him I had done nothing wrong and would not confess to something I did not do.”
The suspect maintained his innocence, insisting he had no involvement in the church attack.
He also addressed questions about his mobile phone location during the incident, explaining that although his SIM card showed he was in a nearby community, he was actually on a farm with his father in a neighbouring area.
“My father and I were at our farm in Elegbeka, which is close to Omi-Alafia. That explains the network location,” he said.
Following the testimony, Justice Nwite adjourned the case until March 26 for continuation of the trial.
