The Department of State Services (DSS) says dozens of high-profile terrorism suspects are currently facing prosecution nationwide as part of intensified efforts to strengthen security and ensure accountability for violent crimes.
In a statement released Tuesday, the agency confirmed that five men are on trial over the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, where more than 40 worshippers were killed and over 100 injured.
The security agency also disclosed progress in multiple ongoing terrorism cases, including the prosecution of suspects linked to the June 2025 Yelwata massacre in Benue State, which left dozens dead and sparked national outrage.
DSS Director-General, Tosin Ajayi, said the series of prosecutions reflect the commitment of security agencies to dismantling terror networks and ensuring that perpetrators face justice “in line with the rule of law.”
Key Trials and Terror Cases
- Leaders of ANSARU Facing 32-Count Terrorism Charge
The Federal High Court in Abuja will on November 19 resume the trial of two internationally wanted terror suspects — Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Abu Bara’a) and Abubakar Abba (aka Isah Adam / Mahmud Al-Nigeri).
Both men, believed to be senior figures within Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU) — Nigeria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate — were arrested in a high-risk DSS operation in July after months of pursuit.
Usman, described as the self-styled Emir of ANSARU, is accused of coordinating terror sleeper cells across Nigeria, masterminding high-profile kidnappings, and financing terrorism through criminal operations.
Abba, said to be his deputy and chief-of-staff, allegedly commanded the “Mahmudawa” cell operating around Kainji National Park across Niger, Kwara and neighbouring Benin Republic.
According to earlier reports from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), one of the suspects trained in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under foreign jihadist instructors, specializing in weapons handling and IED fabrication.
Both men were arraigned in August on 32 terrorism-related counts, including financing terrorism and illegal mining. Usman has already received a 15-year sentence for the mining offence, while Abba pleaded not guilty to all counts.
- Trial of UN Building Bombing Mastermind Ongoing
The DSS reaffirmed that the prosecution of Khalid Al-Barnawi, alleged mastermind of the August 26, 2011 bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja — which killed 20 people and injured more than 70 — is ongoing.
Arrested in 2016, Al-Barnawi is being tried alongside four others:
Mohammed Bashir Saleh, Umar Mohammed Bello (Datti), Mohammed Salisu, and Yakubu Nuhu (Bello Maishayi).
Hearings have faced delays due to procedural challenges, including repeated court appearances without defence counsel. However, Justice Emeka Nwite recently granted the DSS request for an accelerated trial.
A trial-within-trial held on October 23 and 24 included the screening of video confessional statements.
- Owo Church Attack: Five Suspects Arraigned
On August 11, five men — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar — were arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja for the Owo massacre.
They face a nine-count terrorism charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025), including allegations of belonging to an Al Shabab cell in Kogi State and carrying out the attack as part of violent extremist ideology.
All defendants pleaded not guilty. Their bail application was rejected on September 10, with the court citing the gravity of the offences and the strength of evidence.
- Suspects in Yelwata Massacre Now on Trial
The agency also confirmed progress in prosecuting suspects arrested over the June 13, 2025 Yelwata massacre in Benue State’s Guma LGA, where dozens were killed and 107 injured.
Following President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the community and directive for immediate arrests, the Inspector-General of Police announced 26 arrests on June 24.
In August, the DSS filed terrorism charges against nine of the suspects, with six separate charge sheets now before the Federal High Court.
Two fugitives — Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi — face four terrorism counts, including failure to provide intelligence that could have prevented the attacks.
The DSS is also prosecuting Terkende Ashuwa and Amos Alede, accused of launching reprisal attacks linked to the same crisis. Tried before Justice Nwite, both pleaded not guilty.
DSS: “We will continue to uphold accountability”
DSS Director-General Ajayi stressed that security agencies remain resolute in pursuing justice for victims of terrorism:
“The arrests and trials demonstrate the diligence of Nigeria’s security agencies in dealing with perpetrators of terror.
These defendants are separate from hundreds of suspects in military protective custody whose cases are before the Attorney General’s office. In July last year, 125 terrorists were convicted.”
He added that the DSS will continue pushing for accountability “in consonance with the rule of law.”
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