Two additional prosecution witnesses on Tuesday narrated chilling accounts before the Federal High Court in Abuja in the ongoing trial of five men accused of masterminding the June 5, 2022, terror attack on St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
The Department of State Services (DSS) also tendered additional exhibits during the proceedings, which were admitted by the trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, without objection from the defence.
The defendants—Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25) and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47)—are being prosecuted on a nine-count amended charge bordering on terrorism and related offences. All five had pleaded not guilty at their arraignment.
At the hearing, the prosecution called two witnesses, identified as SSB and SSC for security reasons, who gave graphic details of how the attackers invaded the church during Sunday Mass.
One of the witnesses, a female student from Anambra State, told the court that the assailants forcefully entered the church, locked the main entrance and began shooting indiscriminately at worshippers, including those seated in the choir gallery.
She testified that an explosive device was placed near her head after she lifted her face while one of the attackers was speaking, adding that she narrowly escaped death by moving away moments before it detonated.
With the court’s permission, the witness displayed her injured left leg, explaining that she had undergone four surgical operations and still had metal implants in the limb. She further recounted that a two-year-old relative was shot from behind during the attack and died instantly.
The second witness corroborated the testimony, telling the court that about 40 worshippers were counted dead shortly after the attackers fled the scene. He added that the church was bombed three times, resulting in extensive damage to the building.
Both witnesses confirmed that they were later invited by the DSS to its Akure office, where they voluntarily gave their statements on May 26, 2024. Their extra-judicial statements were admitted as Exhibits B and C, following the absence of objections from defence counsel.
At the close of proceedings, counsel to the DSS, Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), informed the court that the prosecution plans to call seven more witnesses, although only two are expected to testify at the next sitting.
Defence counsel, Abdullahi Auwal Mohammed, appeared for the five defendants.
Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until January 14 for continuation of the trial. The court recalled that a Catholic priest, also identified as SSA, had earlier testified on December 11, 2025, as the first prosecution witness.