The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday opened its case against five suspects accused of carrying out the June 5, 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State — an assault that killed over 40 worshippers and left about 100 others injured.
Gatekeepers News reports that the defendants — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) — were arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
At the commencement of trial, the DSS presented its first prosecution witness, a Catholic priest who presided over the Pentecost Sunday mass on the day of the attack. His identity was withheld for security reasons.
Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), the priest recounted the horrific scene as the service was ending.
“June 5, 2022 remained a memorable day because it was the day when the violent attack was launched on us, myself and all the worshipping community of St Francis Catholic Church, Owo,” he said.
“It led to the death of over 40 persons among us, while some of us became maimed; some, till this point, have permanent physical injuries.”
He told the court he was performing the final rites of the mass when he heard a loud sound and saw commotion among parishioners. Two members of the congregation quickly locked the church’s main entrance as gunshots rang out.
“An elder came to me in the sanctuary and said, ‘Father, we are under attack.’ From this point, I heard the sporadic shooting of guns. This elder told me, ‘Father, you have to leave.’”
The witness said he initially hesitated because of the children in the church but ultimately helped move them and some adults to a nearby safe room attached to the sanctuary.
He described hearing continuous gunfire and three explosive blasts, noting that the third explosive fell close to their hiding place and shook the ground violently.
After the attackers fled, the priest emerged to scenes of devastation.
“I saw my choirmaster shot in the chest. He called me to pray for him. I did, but I told him I had to move him to the hospital. When I got out, I saw some already dead on the floor.”
He said he made two trips to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, transporting victims, and later watched as ambulances from FMC and St. Louis Hospital took over evacuation efforts.
The priest said he was later invited to the DSS office in Akure, where he made a formal statement.
During cross-examination, defence counsel Abdullahi Mohammad asked whether he could identify the attackers. The witness said the chaos made that impossible.
“I could not and I did not identify or recognise those who carried out the attack. Therefore, I don’t know their number.”
He explained that the children were close to the sanctuary when the shooting began, allowing him and other adults to quickly lead them to safety.
Earlier, Adedipe informed the court that the prosecution had amended the charge to correct minor errors. The amended charges were read to the defendants, who all pleaded not guilty.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the case to January 13 and 14, 2026, at 12 noon on each day for continuation of hearing.
