The trial of five suspected terrorists continued on Tuesday in Abuja, as witnesses recounted the deadly attack on a church in Owo, Ondo State, that killed 41 worshippers and injured over 100. Additional exhibits submitted by the Department of State Services (DSS) were also admitted into evidence.
Two witnesses, identified in court as SSB and SSC, described in graphic detail how the attackers stormed the church, locked the main entrance, and opened fire on worshippers.
SSB, a female student from Anambra State, told Justice Emeka Nwite that gunmen fired at the choir gallery, causing panic. She recounted that a dynamite was placed near her head, but she moved just in time, however, the blast shattered her left leg. Under questioning by DSS lawyer, Ayodeji Adedipe, she displayed the injured leg to the court, explaining she underwent four surgeries and still has iron plates supporting the limb. She also mourned the death of her two-year-old cousin, who was shot during the attack.
SSC corroborated her testimony, stating that 40 worshippers were killed immediately after the assailants fled and confirming that the church had been bombed three times with dynamite, causing severe structural damage.
Both witnesses confirmed that they voluntarily gave statements to DSS at its Akure office on May 26, 2024. These extra-judicial statements were admitted as Exhibits B and C without objection.
DSS counsel Adedipe said seven more witnesses are expected, with two scheduled to testify on January 14, the next date set by Justice Nwite.
The accused persons – Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) – all pleaded not guilty. Abdullahi Auwal Mohammed is representing their defence.
The trial follows previous testimony from a Catholic priest, code-named SSA, who appeared as the first prosecution witness on December 11, 2025.
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