DSS Witness Reveals Details of Owo Church Attack

On June 5, 2022, a terror attack at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, resulted in the deaths of 41 individuals and injuries to 140 others.

A witness from the Department of State Services (DSS) testified in a federal high court in Abuja, detailing the planning and execution of the attack. The witness, Ayodeji Adedip, who is a deputy director in charge of terror investigations, stated that upon receiving intelligence about the planned attack, the DSS arrested five suspects in August 2022 in Kogi and Ondo states.

The arrested individuals included Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Quasim Idri, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idri, and Momoh Otuho. The investigation revealed that the attackers were affiliated with Al Shabab and the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP).

The court learned that a meeting was held on May 30, 2022, where instructions were given to carry out the attack. The attackers used a Volkswagen Golf car to transport weapons and executed the attack during a church service, leading to significant casualties.

The court proceedings have been adjourned until February 18 for further cross-examination.