DSS Witness Details Alleged Plot Behind Owo Church Attack at Federal High Court

Proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday took a dramatic turn as a witness for the Department of State Services (DSS), which gave detailed testimony on how the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church was allegedly planned, funded, and executed.

The witness, identified only as SSI and testifying as the ninth prosecution witness (PW9), told the court he led the counter-terrorism investigation into the attack, which claimed over 40 lives and left more than 100 others injured.

According to the DSS operative, intelligence gathering and technical surveillance led to the arrest of five suspects in August 2022 across Kogi and Ondo states. The defendants listed before the court are:

Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25)

Al-Qasim Idris (20)

Jamiu Abdulmalik (26)

Abdulhaleem Idris (25)

Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47)

The prosecution alleged that the accused are members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a proscribed terrorist organisation. The witness said the suspects operated as part of a cell active in parts of Kogi and Ondo states under the coordination of an individual identified as “Odoba,” who remains at large.

Alleged Planning and Weapons Procurement

PW9 testified that a meeting was allegedly held on May 30, 2022, in Ogaminana, Kogi State, where instructions were given to attack the Catholic church in Owo during Sunday Mass. He said the directive allegedly included targeting the priest.

He further told the court that:

Five AK-47 rifles, magazines, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were supplied for the operation.

A vehicle was hired to transport the attackers and the weapons.

A “dry practice” session was conducted ahead of the attack.

Surveillance and logistics were finalized the night before the incident.

The witness alleged that on the morning of June 5, 2022, the attackers arrived near the church with weapons concealed in sacks. Gunfire and explosive devices were reportedly used, resulting in mass casualties.

The court heard that 40 victims later died at the Federal Medical Centre, while dozens sustained varying degrees of injuries. Medical reports, autopsy findings, and 30 photographs from the scene were tendered and admitted as evidence without objection from the defence.

On the role of the fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, the DSS witness said investigations revealed he operated multiple Point of Sale (POS) outlets. His account was allegedly credited with ₦800,000 in two instalments weeks before the attack.

The prosecution claimed the funds were distributed to members of the ISWAP cell, including the other defendants, and that technical evidence showed communication between him and the co-accused around the time of the incident.

The prosecution tendered what it described as a comprehensive investigation report, which the court admitted into evidence. Defence counsel requested time to examine the documents before cross-examination.

The case was adjourned to February 18 at 11 a.m. for continuation of trial.