Owo Church M@ssacre: Suspects were funded and armed for att@ck – Department of State Services witness

A prosecution witness from the Department of State Services (DSS) has told the Federal High Court, Abuja, that the suspects charged over the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, were funded, armed and mobilised for the operation.

Testifying under protection as the ninth prosecution witness (PW-9), the DSS operative, identified as SSI for security reasons said he led the counter-terrorism investigation into the incident, which left more than 40 people dead and over 100 injured.

Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN) before Justice Emeka Nwite, the witness stated that investigations revealed the accused persons were members of the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP), a proscribed terrorist group. According to him, the group operated a cell around Okene/Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State and parts of Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State under the leadership of one Odoba, who remains at large.

The DSS said five suspects were arrested in August 2022 across Kogi and Ondo states: Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al-Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.

The witness alleged that on May 30, 2022, a meeting was held at Government Secondary School, Ogaminana, Kogi State, where instructions were issued to attack the Owo church during Sunday service and target the priest. He said further meetings were held to finalise plans, with additional reinforcements identified as Mohammed and Abdullahi.

According to the testimony, weapons including five AK-47 rifles, magazines, ammunition and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were supplied for the operation. The group allegedly conducted a “dry practice”, a rehearsal without live ammunition on the eve of the attack.

PW-9 told the court that on the morning of June 5, 2022, the suspects travelled to Owo in a vehicle with weapons concealed in sacks. Upon arrival, they reportedly opened fire and detonated explosives inside and around the church premises.

He said 40 victims, including women and children, later died at the Federal Medical Centre, while dozens of others sustained injuries. Photographs from the scene and medical reports were tendered and admitted as exhibits without objection from the defence.

The witness further testified that the fifth defendant allegedly played a financial role in the attack. He claimed the suspect operated multiple Point of Sale (POS) outlets and received N800,000 in two separate transactions weeks before the incident. The funds, he alleged, were distributed to members of the group, with no evidence of legitimate business transactions.

Technical evidence, he added, showed communication between the fifth defendant and the other accused persons around the time of the attack.

A comprehensive investigation report compiled by the DSS was also admitted into evidence. Defence counsel Abdullahi Mohammad did not oppose its admission but requested time to review the document before cross-examining the witness.

Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the matter until February 18 for continuation of trial.