Metro

Victims Identify Alleged Owo Church Attackers In Court

Published

4 months ago

January 14, 2026

Two more prosecution witnesses on Tuesday gave vivid and harrowing accounts of the June 5, 2022 terror attack on St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, as the Federal High Court in Abuja admitted additional exhibits from the Department of State Services.

The DSS is prosecuting five suspects — Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) — on amended nine counts, bordering on terrorism. All the defendants have pleaded not guilty.

The June 2022 attack occurred during a Sunday Mass marking the Feast of Pentecost. Gunmen stormed the church, locking the main entrance before opening fire on worshippers and detonating explosives.

The coordinated assault claimed at least 41 lives and left over 100 injured, leaving a deep scar on the Owo community.

During Tuesday’s hearing, a male witness identified only as SSB recounted in detail how the attack unfolded. Under cross-examination by DSS counsel Adedayo Adedipe (SAN), the witness said the gunmen forced their way into the church through a secondary entrance after worshippers tried to secure the main door.

“In a matter of seconds, I saw one man holding a gun. He looked at the church, then beckoned to someone behind him,” SSB told the court.

Initially, he identified the fifth defendant, Momoh Abubakar, but later corrected himself to point out the second defendant, Al Qasim Idris, after the defendant removed his face mask and moved closer.

SSB also identified Abdulhaleem Idris as the fourth defendant — the man carrying a bag when the attackers were preparing to leave.

He described hearing multiple explosions while the assailants fired indiscriminately at worshippers.

“I fell on my face in fear. After the attackers left, I saw two dead bodies outside the church. More than 40 worshippers were killed while many others were injured,” he said.

A second witness, a female referred to as SSC, told the court she survived the attack but sustained permanent injuries to her left leg.

She recalled the terrifying moment a gunman dropped dynamite near her while demanding, “Do you know why we are doing this?”

She also recounted seeing the body of her two-year-old cousin, whose mother could not identify her at the hospital due to severe injuries and dust from the explosion.

SSC showed her operated leg in court, noting that it had undergone four surgeries and still contained metal fixtures.

Both witnesses confirmed that they had made statements to the DSS at its Akure office on May 26, 2024.

Their extra-judicial statements were formally admitted into evidence as Exhibits B and C without objection from the defense.

The Federal High Court has so far been hearing the trial in multiple sessions, with the prosecution presenting detailed evidence, including witness testimonies and material exhibits, to establish the identities of the perpetrators and the sequence of the attack.

In his remarks, DSS counsel, Adedayo Adedipe (SAN), said the prosecution intends to call seven more witnesses, with two scheduled to testify at the next hearing. The witnesses are expected to provide further insights into the planning, execution, and aftermath of the attack.

Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the trial to January 14, 2026, for the continuation of proceedings.

The Owo church attack remains one of Nigeria’s deadliest terrorist incidents targeting civilians in a place of worship. Investigators and security agencies have been painstakingly compiling evidence to ensure accountability, while the trial serves as a critical step toward justice for victims and their families.

The case highlights ongoing security challenges in the country, particularly the vulnerability of religious gatherings to targeted violence, and underscores the role of the DSS in counter-terrorism investigations and prosecution.

Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.

Metro

Grandfathers Arrested For Drug Trafficking

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

Two grandfathers, aged 83 and 78, are among several suspects apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a fresh nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking.

Pa John Ofiel, 83, was arrested on Tuesday, 28 April during a raid in the Aba region of Abia State.

The NDLEA said that operatives acting on credible intelligence recovered 700 grams of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis already packaged into retail sachets.

The octogenarian, who claimed to be a professional shoemaker allegedly confessed to delving into the illicit trade.

In Ekiti State on Thursday 30 April 78 year old Ogunjobi Samuel was detained at his residence in Ilupeju-Ekiti where officers seized 350 grams of cannabis from him, identifying him as a local peddler.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, (CCEO), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the various state commands for their drug supply reduction efforts.

He urged officers to maintain the current momentum, balancing enforcement with the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities.
The enforcement drive also led to the arrest of a notorious drug dealer in Oyo State Taofik Adeyemi, 49.

He was apprehended on Saturday, 2 May, at his residence in Ibadan after months of evading the authorities.

He was caught alongside his salesman, Mustapha Oyerinde, with 3.085kg of cannabis and a getaway vehicle.

Across other states, the NDLEA recorded significant seizures including over 140,000 pills and capsules of Tramadol intercepted in separate operations targeting transit routes from Damaturu to Hadejia.

A raid on Awolowo Market in Mushin area of Lagos state resulted in the recovery of 740kg of cannabis while in Kaduna, two suspects were caught on the Abuja-Jos highway with 290kg of compressed cannabis concealed in a Honda Ridgeline.

A 65-year-old driver was intercepted at the Ile-Ife toll gate in Osun state conveying skunk and methamphetamine, leading to a follow up arrest of the consignment’s owner in Ilesha.

In line with it’s mandate, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, holding enlightenment lectures for students, Islamic schools, and commercial motorcyclists in Niger, Kano, Anambra, and Lagos states.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, noted that the agency remains committed to “cleansing the streets” of both notorious distributors and those who use age as a shield for criminal activity.