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.
