A DSS officer gave a chilling testimonies before the Federal High Court of Abuja on Tuesday. He described how members of a terror cell allegedly procured arms, mobilized money and carried out the attack of June 5, 2022 on the St.
Francis Xavier Catholic Church of Owo in Ondo State.
The officer identified as SSI, and who appeared as the 9th prosecution witness (PW9) said he was the leader of the DSS Counter Terrorism Investigation Team that investigated the mass murder, in which over 40 people died and more than 100 were injured.
The witness, who testified in the trial against five men charged with complicity for the attack in Kogi and Ondo in August of 2022, described the intelligence gathering process and the technical surveillance that led to the capture of the suspects.
Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al-Qasim Idris 20), Jamiu Abdulmalik 26), Abdulhaleem Idris 25), and Momoh Abubakar 47 are the defendants. The DSS is prosecuting them.
Ayodeji Adedipe, the prosecutor, led the testimony of the witness, who told the court the investigations had revealed that the suspects belonged to the Islamic State West Africa Province, a terrorist organization proscribed by the United Nations. The cell was operating around Okene/Adavi Local Government Area in Kogi State, and portions of Ose Local Government Area in Ondo State, under coordination from a leader named Odoba.
A key meeting took place on 30 May 2022 at Government Secondary School in Ogaminana. The witness claims that instructions were given to assault the Catholic Church on a Sunday, and to ensure the priest’s death.
Al-Qasim Idris, according to him, convened an additional meeting in Omilafia with cell members, such as his brother Abdulhaleem, and Jamiu Abdulmalik.
The purpose of the second meeting was to convey this directive and complete preparations. To reinforce the team, two additional operatives were hired, Mohammed and Abdullahi.
Abdulhaleem allegedly travelled on June 4, 2022 to Adavi and hired a Volkswagen Golf 3 car. He then received from Odoba five AK47 rifles and 10 magazines as well as ammunition and improvised bombs (IEDs).
The group met at Abdulhaleem’s house that evening to review the attack plan and conduct a “dry practice” — weapons handling exercises without real ammunition — before they spent the night together.
The witness gave a vivid account of the attack, telling the court how, on June 5th, weapons were hidden in bags and that the four defendants as well as a still-at-large suspect, drove to the church. After arriving, the group allegedly briefly mingled outside before they launched the assault.
He said that after one attacker whispered something to him, one victim was killed outside the church. This caused chaos.
He testified that the attackers then hijacked the Nissan Sunny from a passing motorist and drove inside the compound of the church, opening fire on the worshipers both in and outside.
Abdulhaleem is said to have exploded at least three explosives while other shooters fired indiscriminately on fleeing congregation members.
Witnesses said that 40 worshippers including children and women died later at the Federal Medical Centre. At least 23 other people suffered serious injuries. The hospital reported that some victims had already died when they arrived.
All of the evidence was admitted without objection.
The prosecution presented medical reports, autopsy results, thirty photographs taken at the scene, and an investigation report.
The witness stated that investigations revealed Momoh Abubakar operated Point of Sale units (POSs) in several locations, and allegedly distributed money to ISWAP members.
The DSS officer stated that the account of the fifth defendant was credited N800,000.000 two times in the weeks prior to the attack. These funds were then allegedly distributed to other defendants and members of Al-Shabab, ISWAP. There is no evidence to support legitimate transactions. The technical evidence showed that he was in contact with his co-defendants at the time of attack.
Abdullahi Mohammed, the defence counsel, didn’t object to the report of investigation being admitted but asked for time to review it prior to commencing the cross-examination.
The court, without objection by the prosecution, adjourned the proceedings until Wednesday, February 18 at 11 am.
