₦airaland Forum

Owo Church Attack Trial: Witnesses Give Graphic Accounts as DSS Tenders Fresh Evidence

Two additional prosecution witnesses on Tuesday gave emotional and detailed testimonies before the Federal High Court in Abuja on the June 5, 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

The witnesses testified as the Department of State Services (DSS) continued its prosecution of five suspects over the deadly assault that occurred during a Sunday Mass celebrating the Feast of Pentecost.

The DSS is prosecuting 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 June 2022 attack, one of Nigeria’s deadliest assaults on a place of worship, claimed at least 41 lives and left over 100 worshippers injured after gunmen stormed the church, locked the main entrance, opened fire, and detonated explosives.

Eyewitness Describes How Attackers Entered Church

A male witness, identified in court as SSB, recounted how the attackers gained entry after worshippers attempted to secure the main door.

“In a matter of seconds, I saw one man holding a gun. He looked at the church, then beckoned to someone behind him,” the witness told the court.

During cross-examination by DSS counsel, Adedayo Adedipe (SAN), SSB initially identified the fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, but later corrected himself after the second defendant, Al Qasim Idris, removed his face mask and stepped forward.

The witness also identified Abdulhaleem Idris as the fourth defendant, describing him as the man carrying a bag while the attackers were preparing to leave the scene.

“I heard several explosions while they were shooting at people. 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,” SSB said.

Female Survivor Recounts Injury and Loss of Child

A second witness, a female identified as SSC, told the court that she survived the attack but sustained permanent injuries to her left leg.

“One of the gunmen dropped dynamite near me and asked, ‘Do you know why we are doing this?’” she testified.

She further narrated the devastating loss of her two-year-old cousin, whose body she encountered after the explosion.

“At the hospital, the child’s mother could not recognize her because of the injuries and the dust from the explosion,” SSC said.

The witness displayed her injured leg in open court, explaining that it had undergone four surgeries and still contained metal implants.

DSS Submits Statements as Exhibits

Both witnesses confirmed that they made extra-judicial statements to the DSS at its Akure office on May 26, 2024.

The statements were formally admitted into evidence as Exhibits B and C without objection from the defence.

Speaking after the session, DSS counsel, Adedayo Adedipe (SAN), informed the court that the prosecution plans to call seven additional witnesses.

“We intend to present seven more witnesses. Two of them will testify at the next sitting to further clarify the planning, execution, and aftermath of the attack,” Adedipe said.

Presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, adjourned the matter to January 14, 2026, for continuation of trial.

The Owo church attack remains a painful chapter in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, highlighting the vulnerability of religious gatherings and the continued efforts by security agencies to secure justice for victims and their families.

Source: The Bureau Newspaper

I really hope the victims get justice. Sadly, this case could drag for more years before judgement.

Nigeria is a joke of a country.

When did Kogi people start killing in SW? WTF? Please make sure they get death sentence.

2mch:
When did Kogi people start killing in SW? WTF? Please make sure they get death sentence.

Most of the insecurities in Ondo, Edo, Kogi and Kwara are from Kogi people ( especially the Igbira tribe). Many of them have been arrested in Ondo state.

They deserve to be sentenced to death and their victims and their loved ones watch as they die.

"There is no peace," my God had said,"for the wicked."

This whole court proceedings has taken too long as it is. Sentencing should be made so we move on to other things

Mehn imagine seeing those who murdered your family in cold blood eye to eye but in court

I hope justice prevails

MufasaLion:
I really hope the victims get justice. Sadly, this case could drag for more years before judgement.

Nigeria is a joke of a country.

If even drags for long they wll still be in custody they are never going to walk free even for that long time before judgement is deliver.

And pls stop calling Nigeria a joke, ok. Because we read it several time how somebody was detained and drag and drag for 25 years before finally faced judgement did you called US a joke as well?

When tinubu comes back from where ever he went to he'd ask them; "where are the cows".

True true I didn't see any cow during the attack in the numerous videos online.

Is Evans a herdsmen


Unfortunately, they have no case.

In this contraption we must all learn lessons not just the Igbos.

Vinod007:
Most of the insecurities in Ondo, Edo, Kogi and Kwara are from Kogi people ( especially the Igbira tribe). Many of them have been arrested in Ondo state.

So igbira people are involved in terrorism?

One of the gunmen dropped dynamite near me and asked, ‘Do you know why we are doing this?’” she testified.

Wow!

Jayhome24:
If even drags for long they wll still be in custody they are never going to walk free even for that long time before judgement is deliver.

And pls stop calling Nigeria a joke, ok. Because we read it several time how somebody was detained and drag and drag for 25 years before finally faced judgement did you called US a joke as well?

On this part I agree with you. There are many things not going right in Nigeria and we have many people governing us who are criminals pretending to be leaders; but to call Nigeria a joke over this story is a stretch and wrong.

I am very surprised and indeed full of praise that the killers were actually caught. This is excellent work by the security forces.

Although they have still not answered the why. Was it pure terrorism, if yes, then why no propaganda video after the attack?

Or was it a dispute with an individual in the Church as alleged by some eye witnesses who said they were looking for a particular person.
Or was it about a dispute over drugs as alleged by another.

Unfortunately I dont think the present laws allow death sentence, that needs to change. Thats why the previous convictions last year that DSS got for the Niger State and Abuja cases only got jail sentences. Terrorism is as bad and worse than treason. At least treason in a 3rd world country is against the government, terrorism is against everybody.

Kudos to President Tinubu
This case could have been forgotten if it were another president

Sharperly sentence them to firing squad.

This report is incomplete. The woman said the one of the terrorists asked her : "Do you know why we are doing this ?".

I expect the writer/author who wrote this news piece will proceed to tell us what the terrorist gave as reason to the victim. We ought to know what reason was given; is it religiously motivated or financially motivated terrorism.

I suspect they deliberately cut that part off in the report for reasons best known to them.

They will say Islam is a religion of peace

Those people doing the terrosim are not true Muslims

lol…

But they are all Muslims

2mch:
When did Kogi people start killing in SW? WTF? Please make sure they get death sentence.

All terrorist organizations have very active cells in kogi state.
Kogi state has its fair share of Islamic extremism.

Yes, they should make sure they are all unalived. Not to dump them in one prison and be using taxpayers money to feed them.

Firing squad ASAP! Justice must be served.

BlueRayDick:
This report is incomplete. The woman said the one of the terrorists asked her : "Do you know why we are doing this ?".

I expect the writer/author who wrote this news piece will proceed to tell us what the terrorist gave as reason to the victim. We ought to know what reason was given; is it religiously motivated or financially motivated terrorism.

I suspect they deliberately cut that part off in the report for reasons best known to them.

The questioner may not have completed his sentence as a matter of fact, but yes, they may have cut off that part too.

the ba$tard came to check /hear them

Editorialtimes:
Owo Church Attack Trial: Witnesses Give Graphic Accounts as DSS Tenders Fresh Evidence



Source: The Bureau Newspaper

The only befitting punishment for these vile villains is to be barbecued alive after their conviction. No wonder God made a hell. A place for mass barbecue of every heartless villain. During the barbecue in hell, the devils remain alive, endlessly absorbing the pangs of hell fire. God is the best JUDGE
You call yourself a terrorist and tormentor of fellow humans. You will know what terror is all about when you encounter the wrath of your Maker.

Uptil now these terrorists are still waking freely

But if it is to sentence people that are defending themselves to death they will do it sharp sharp

useless country

Every time there is going to be a major football match these useless NEPA will take the light. After placing people on band A with ultra high tariff you are still carrying their light

Useless idiot

Release the suspect he has repent... Only in Nigeria deadly terrorist are pardon but innocent are punished for crime they no nothing about.. release him according to Gumi he is our brother

Not Fulani?

I'm sure quite a number of people are shockedm