Fresh details have emerged in court on how the horrific June 5, 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis’ Catholic Church, Owo, was carefully plotted days before gunmen opened fire on worshippers, killing over 40 and injuring more than 100.
At the Federal High Court in Abuja, a lead investigator from the Department of State Services (DSS), identified only as ‘SSI’, narrated how the massacre was allegedly masterminded in Kogi State.
Testifying behind a protective shield, the witness, who serves as Deputy Director in charge of Terrorism Investigation, said he led the team that unravelled the chilling conspiracy.
According to him, the deadly operation was planned during a meeting held on May 30, 2022, at a Government Secondary School in Ogaminana, Kogi State.
He told the court that a terror leader identified as Odoba allegedly coordinated the meeting and issued clear instructions that the Catholic Church in Owo be attacked on a Sunday, with the priest in charge targeted for death.
The DSS officer, appearing as the ninth prosecution witness, described the agency’s probe as a “holistic investigation” that eventually led to the arrest of five suspects now standing trial.
The defendants in the nine-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025 are:
Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza,
Al Qasim Idris,
Jamiu Abdulmalik,
Abdulhaleem Idris, and
Momoh Otuho Abubakar.
They are accused of belonging to the Al Shabab terrorist group, allegedly operating a cell in Kogi State.
Led in evidence by Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, the witness said the DSS launched an immediate operation after receiving intelligence on the massacre, focusing on identifying the attackers, their sponsors, and the motive behind the carnage.
He testified that intelligence gathered by the agency led to the arrest of the suspects in August 2022 across Kogi and Ondo states.
Giving a blow-by-blow account, the witness told the court that one of the defendants, Idris, attended the Ogaminana meeting where alleged members operating as Al-Shabab were briefed on Odoba’s instructions.
Another meeting, he said, was held on a Friday after Jumaat prayer at a mosque where the father of the 2nd and 3rd defendants served as Chief Imam.
On the Saturday before the attack, Idris allegedly travelled to Adavi in Kogi State, hired a Volkswagen Golf car, and met Odoba, who reportedly supplied five AK-47 rifles, 10 magazines, live ammunition, and explosive devices.
The court heard that the group later gathered in Idris’ room, where they finalised plans, received training on handling weapons, and discussed precautions ahead of the operation.
The witness further stated that Idris used his father’s motorcycle to transport Mohammed and Abdullahi, who had travelled from the North to participate in the attack, enabling them to mount surveillance around the church.
On Pentecost Sunday, June 5, 2022, the 4th defendant and a suspect identified as Kabiru, who is still at large, allegedly arrived with a Volkswagen Golf containing weapons hidden in a sack.
According to the testimony, a hawker noticed the suspects as they brought out the weapons near the church but was prevented from raising the alarm.
Shortly after, a Nissan vehicle belonging to a member of Deeper Life Church was allegedly hijacked along the route. In the chaos that followed, the attackers stormed the Catholic Church and began shooting sporadically at worshippers.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned further proceedings until today to allow defence lawyers to cross-examine the DSS witness.
