By Yemi Oyeyemi, Abuja
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday admitted additional exhibits tendered by the Department of State Services (DSS) in the ongoing trial of five men accused of masterminding the June 5, 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
Two additional prosecution witnesses testified before Justice Emeka Nwite, describing the deadly attack in which at least 41 worshippers were killed and more than 100 others sustained injuries, including limb amputations.
The witnesses, identified by code names SSB and SSC, recounted how gunmen stormed the church during Sunday Mass, sealed the main entrance, opened fire on worshippers and detonated explosives. One of the witnesses, a female student from Anambra State, told the court that the attackers fired at the choir gallery, throwing the church into chaos.
She testified that one of the assailants placed an explosive device on her head after she raised her head while he was speaking. Although she managed to move, the device exploded and shattered her left leg. With the court’s permission, she displayed the injured leg, explaining that it had undergone four surgeries and still contains metal implants for support.
She also told the court that a young relative was shot at the back of the head during the attack and died instantly.
Another witness corroborated her account, stating that the attackers detonated explosives three times inside the church, causing extensive damage. He said about 40 worshippers were found dead after the assailants fled.
Both witnesses confirmed that they gave their statements voluntarily to the DSS at its Akure office on May 26, 2024. Their extra-judicial statements were admitted by the court as Exhibits B and C, following the absence of objections from the defence.
Counsel to the DSS, Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, informed the court that the prosecution intends to call seven more witnesses, with two scheduled to testify at the next sitting.
The DSS is prosecuting the defendants—Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25) and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47)—on a nine-count amended charge bordering on terrorism. All five pleaded not guilty at their arraignment.
The defendants are represented by Abdullahi Auwal Mohammed. Justice Nwite adjourned the case to January 14 for continuation of trial.
The court had earlier heard testimony from a Catholic priest and survivor of the attack, who appeared as the first prosecution witness on December 11, 2025.
