On Tuesday, two more prosecution witnesses gave harrowing accounts of the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, as the Federal High Court in Abuja admitted new exhibits from the Department of State Services (DSS).
The DSS is prosecuting five individuals — Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) — on amended nine-count charges related to terrorism. All defendants have pleaded not guilty.
The assault took place during a Sunday Mass celebrating the Feast of Pentecost, when gunmen stormed the church, secured the main entrance, opened fire on worshippers, and detonated explosives. The coordinated attack left at least 41 people dead and more than 100 injured, leaving lasting trauma in the Owo community.
During the hearing, a male witness identified as SSB described in detail how the attackers forced entry through a secondary door after worshippers tried to secure the main entrance.
“In a matter of seconds, I saw one man with a gun. He looked at the church, then signaled to someone behind him,” SSB told the court.
He initially identified Momoh Abubakar but later corrected himself, pointing out Al Qasim Idris after the defendant removed his face mask. He also identified Abdulhaleem Idris as the man carrying a bag as the attackers prepared to leave.
SSB recounted hearing multiple explosions while the gunmen fired indiscriminately. “I fell on my face in fear. After the attackers left, I saw two bodies outside. Over 40 worshippers were killed, and many more injured,” he said.
A second witness, a female identified as SSC, recounted surviving the attack but sustaining permanent injuries to her left leg. She described a terrifying moment when a gunman dropped dynamite near her, asking, “Do you know why we are doing this?”
She also witnessed the death of her two-year-old cousin, whose mother could not identify her at the hospital due to severe injuries and debris from the explosion. SSC displayed her operated leg in court, noting it had undergone four surgeries and still contained metal fixtures.
Both witnesses confirmed they had provided statements to the DSS at its Akure office on May 26, 2024. These extra-judicial statements were admitted into evidence as Exhibits B and C without objection from the defence.
The trial has been ongoing in multiple sessions, with the prosecution presenting detailed evidence, including witness testimonies and material exhibits, to establish the identities of the perpetrators and the sequence of the attack.
DSS counsel Adedayo Adedipe (SAN) said the prosecution plans to call seven more witnesses, with two scheduled to testify at the next hearing, providing further insight into the planning, execution, and aftermath of the attack.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the proceedings to January 14, 2026, for continuation.
The Owo church attack remains one of Nigeria’s deadliest acts of terrorism against civilians in a place of worship. The trial represents a critical step toward justice, highlighting the vulnerability of religious gatherings and the role of the DSS in counter-terrorism investigations and prosecution.
