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

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

17 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.