A protected witness of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that suspected terrorists were funded, armed and carefully mobilised before the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State. Testifying before Justice Emeka Nwite, the witness identified as SSI said the assault left more than 40 people dead and over 100 injured. He appeared as the ninth prosecution witness in the ongoing trial.
SSI, a Deputy Director in charge of Counter-Terrorism Investigation at the DSS, said his team was tasked with uncovering the perpetrators, sponsors and motives behind the massacre. Through intelligence gathering and technical surveillance, five suspects were arrested in August 2022 across Kogi and Ondo states. He identified them as Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al-Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, alleging they were members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
According to the witness, the attack was planned days earlier at meetings in Kogi State, where instructions were allegedly given to strike the church during Sunday service. He said the suspects were supplied with firearms and improvised explosive devices and carried out preparations, including what he described as a rehearsal. On the morning of the attack, they allegedly travelled to Owo, concealed their weapons, and launched the assault during worship.
The prosecution tendered medical reports, autopsy findings and photographs from the scene, all admitted without objection. SSI also linked the fifth defendant to alleged financial transactions preceding the attack, claiming funds were distributed through Point of Sale operations to members of the group. He said technical evidence showed communication among the accused around the time of the incident.
Defence counsel requested time to review the investigation report recently served on them, and the court granted the request. Justice Nwite adjourned proceedings to February 18 for continuation of trial and cross-examination.