Two additional prosecution witnesses on Tuesday gave chilling testimonies before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the June 5, 2022 terrorist attack on St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, as the Department of State Services tendered more exhibits in evidence.
The DSS is prosecuting five suspects, Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47), on an amended nine-count charge bordering on terrorism. All the defendants have pleaded not guilty.
The attack took place during a Sunday Mass celebrating the Feast of Pentecost in June 2022, when gunmen invaded the church, reportedly securing the main entrance before opening fire on worshippers and detonating explosives inside the premises.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, a male witness, identified only as SSB, narrated how the assault unfolded. While being led in evidence by DSS counsel, Adedayo Adedipe (SAN), the witness explained that the attackers gained entry through a secondary door after worshippers attempted to barricade the main entrance.
“In a matter of seconds, I saw one man holding a gun. He looked at the church, then beckoned to someone behind him,” SSB told the court.
He initially identified the fifth defendant, Momoh Abubakar, but later corrected himself, stating that the second defendant, Al Qasim Idris, was the individual he saw after the suspect removed his face mask and stepped closer.
SSB further identified Abdulhaleem Idris as the fourth defendant, describing him as the man carrying a bag while the attackers were preparing to flee.
According to the witness, several explosions occurred as the gunmen fired indiscriminately at worshippers inside the church.
“I fell on my face in fear. After the attackers left, I saw two dead bodies outside the church. More than 40 worshippers were killed while many others were injured,” he said.
Another witness, a female identified as SSC, also testified that she survived the attack but suffered permanent injuries to her left leg.
She recounted a horrifying encounter with one of the attackers, who allegedly dropped dynamite near her and asked, “Do you know why we are doing this?”
SSC also told the court that she saw the remains of her two-year-old cousin, adding that the child’s mother could not recognise her at the hospital due to the severity of her injuries and the dust from the explosion.
The witness displayed her injured leg to the court, explaining that it had undergone four surgical operations and still contained metal implants.
Both witnesses confirmed that they gave statements to the DSS at its Akure office on May 26, 2024.
Their extra-judicial statements were admitted into evidence as Exhibits B and C without objection from defence counsel.
The trial has continued across multiple sittings, with the prosecution presenting witness testimonies and material evidence aimed at establishing the identities of the perpetrators and reconstructing the events surrounding the attack.
Addressing the court, DSS counsel, Adedayo Adedipe (SAN), disclosed that the prosecution plans to call seven additional witnesses, two of whom are expected to testify at the next hearing.
He said their testimonies would further shed light on the planning, execution, and aftermath of the attack.
Justice Emeka Nwite subsequently adjourned the case to January 14, 2026, for the continuation of trial.
The Owo church massacre remains one of the deadliest terrorist attacks on civilians in a Nigerian place of worship, with dozens killed and many others injured.
Authorities say the ongoing trial represents a crucial step toward justice for victims and their families, while also underscoring Nigeria’s persistent security challenges and the DSS’s role in counter-terrorism investigations and prosecutions.
