Terrorists received N800,000 via POS, rehearsed with dry practice, and detonated IEDs during June 2022 attack that left 40 worshippers dead
A Department of State Services (DSS) witness has provided chilling testimony detailing how five suspected ISWAP terrorists were funded, armed, and mobilized to carry out the horrific June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which left over 40 worshippers dead and more than 100 injured.
Testifying before Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, the witness—identified only as SSI for security reasons—revealed the meticulous planning behind the massacre, including meetings, weapons procurement, and financial transactions traced to the defendants.
The Investigation
SSI, who heads counter-terrorism investigations at the DSS, told the court he was mandated to identify the perpetrators, their sponsors, and the circumstances surrounding the attack. Through intelligence gathering and technical resources, investigators arrested five suspects in August 2022 across Kogi and Ondo states.
The defendants are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.
The Planning
According to the witness, the suspects were members of the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP), operating around Okene and Adavi in Kogi State and parts of Ose Local Government Area in Ondo State, under the coordination of a man identified as Odoba—who remains at large.
On May 30, 2022, Odoba convened a meeting at Government Secondary School, Ogaminana, where Al Qasim Idris was present. The witness testified that Odoba issued clear instructions: "Prepare to attack the Catholic Church Owo on Sunday and ensure that they kill the priest."
Subsequent planning meetings were held in Omilafia, where the suspects allegedly prepared for the operation. On June 4, Abdulhaleem Idris traveled to Adavi to hire a vehicle and received weapons from Odoba.
"He proceeded to lead Odoba, who supported them with five AK47 rifles, 10 magazines, rounds of ammunition and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for the planned attack," the witness testified.
The Dry Run
The group conducted a "dry practice"—a rehearsal using weapons without live ammunition—before spending the night together ahead of the attack. On the morning of June 5, the first four defendants and another suspect, Kabir (still at large), were driven in a hired Volkswagen Golf to the church around 8 to 8:30 a.m., with weapons concealed in sacks.
"They got to the church, removed the sacks and pulled out their weapons," the witness said.
The Attack
What followed was a coordinated assault designed to maximize casualties. The attackers opened fire and detonated explosive devices within and around the church premises.
"They shot sporadically in the church's sanctuary, outside and all over, including worshippers trying to escape," the witness told the court.
Abdulhaleem Idris, who carried the bag containing IEDs, detonated at least three explosives while other attackers engaged worshippers with gunfire. The aftermath was devastating: 40 people, including women and children, were pronounced dead at the Federal Medical Centre, with 23 others rushed to the hospital with wounds.
The Financial Trail
The prosecution also presented evidence linking the fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, to the financing of the attack. According to the witness, investigations showed Abubakar operated multiple point-of-sale (POS) outlets and received N800,000 in two tranches weeks before the attack.
"He used the POS machine to distribute the money to the individuals, who are members of the Al-Shabab Unit of ISWAP, and the defendants were beneficiaries of this money, with no evidence of business transactions between them," the witness testified.
Technical analysis further confirmed communication between Abubakar and the other accused persons around the time of the attack.
Evidence Admitted
The prosecution tendered a medical report, 30 photographs from the crime scene, and a comprehensive investigation report, all of which were admitted in evidence without objection from the defense.
Defense counsel Abdullahi Mohammad requested time to study the investigation report before cross-examining the witness, a request granted by the court.
What's Next
Justice Nwite adjourned the case to February 18 for continuation of trial. The testimony provides the most detailed account yet of how one of Nigeria's deadliest terrorist attacks was planned, financed, and executed—and brings investigators closer to unraveling the full network behind the Owo church massacre.
For the families of the 40 worshippers who never returned from Mass that Sunday morning, the proceedings offer a measure of hope that justice may finally be approaching—nearly four years after their world was shattered by gunfire and explosives.
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