DSS Links Cell Phone Evidence to Owo Church Attackers

The Department of State Services (DSS) revealed in a Federal High Court session in Abuja that cell phone analysis implicated five defendants in the June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which resulted in at least 40 deaths and over 100 injuries.

The defendants, identified as Idri Abdulmalik (25), Al Qasim Idri (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idri (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47), were allegedly involved in the terrorist act. The DSS presented technical evidence showing that the first four defendants were present around the church premises during the attack.

They also provided confession statements obtained during interviews, which were contested by defense lawyer Abdullahi Muhammad. Justice Emeka Nwite ruled to uphold the admissibility of the statements.

The DSS confirmed that the defendants are members of ISWAP and were involved in planning the attack, using vehicles to facilitate their actions. The trial is set to continue on February 19.