DSS Opens Trial In Owo Church Massacre As Priest Recounts Horror

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday opened its case against five men accused of carrying out the June 5, 2022 massacre at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, where over 40 worshippers were killed and more than 100 others injured.

The defendants — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al-Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25) and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) — were re-arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), the prosecution’s first witness, a Catholic priest who presided over the Pentecost Sunday mass, relived the terrifying moments the attackers struck. His identity was withheld for security reasons.

The priest told the court the assault began just as the recessional hymn was being taken.

“I heard a loud sound. Then I saw commotion in the church. Soon after, two men from our congregation locked the main entrance and an elder told me, ‘Father, we are under attack,’” he recounted.

He described the intensity of the onslaught, saying at least three explosives were deployed — one landing close to the safe room where he sheltered with several children. Amid sporadic gunshots, he helped evacuate the wounded, including his choir master who was shot in the chest.

Under cross-examination by defence lawyer Abdullahi Mohammad, the witness maintained he could neither recognise nor identify any of the attackers due to the chaos.

Earlier, the prosecution informed the court that the charge sheet had been amended to correct minor errors. The amended charge was read to the five defendants, who all pleaded not guilty.

Justice Nwite granted an application for accelerated hearing and adjourned the matter to January 13 and 14, 2026, for continuation of trial.