A witness of the Department of State Services (DSS) told the federal high court in Abuja that suspected terrorists were funded, armed, and mobilised to attack St. Francis Xavier catholic church, Owo, Ondo State, on June 5, 2022.
The witness, identified as SSI for security reasons, led the DSS investigation team and said the attack left over 40 people dead and more than 100 injured.
He provided details on how the five defendants—Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar—were involved.
According to the witness, the suspects were members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and coordinated under a figure known as Odoba.
He described meetings, planning, and “dry practice” with weapons prior to the attack. The group allegedly used explosives and gunfire to target worshippers, causing mass casualties.
The witness also revealed that the fifth defendant distributed N800,000 to the attackers via Point of Sale (POS) units in the weeks leading up to the attack.
Investigators confirmed communication between the defendants during the period of the attack.
The prosecution submitted a comprehensive investigation report, autopsy reports, and 30 photographs from the crime scene, all admitted as evidence without objection. The court adjourned the trial until February 18 for continuation.
