The defendants — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) — are facing a nine-count amended charge before Justice Emeka Nwite.
A Catholic church priest on Thursday gave a harrowing account before the Federal High Court in Abuja of how terrorists stormed the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, killing more than 40 worshippers and injuring over 100 others during the 2022 Pentecost Sunday service.
Testifying behind a protective screen and identified only as “SSA” for security reasons, the priest appeared as the first prosecution witness in the trial of five men charged by the Department of State Services (DSS) over the massacre.
The defendants — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) — are facing a nine-count amended charge before Justice Emeka Nwite.
“We suddenly heard a loud noise… then gunshots”
Narrating the events of June 5, 2022, the priest said the attack occurred just as the First Pentecost Sunday Mass, which he presided over, was winding down.
“As the Mass was coming to a close, we suddenly heard a loud noise, followed by sporadic gunshots,” he told the court while being led in evidence by DSS counsel, Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN).
“There was commotion and chaos among the congregation.”
He recalled initially thinking someone had fallen, until he noticed two parishioners rushing to lock the main entrance. Moments later, an elder ran to him, warning that the church was under attack.
“At that moment, I heard more gunshots outside. I wanted to run, but the children were there. I could not leave them,” he said.
Seeking refuge in a restroom, the witness said he and several adults immediately began ushering the children to safety.
“The only place available was the restroom attached to the sanctuary,” he explained. “While inside, we continued to hear gunshots.”
He recounted hearing two explosions, followed by a third detonation dangerously close to where he and the children were hiding.
“The effect was like the ground opening to swallow us,” he said. “After a while, some church members came in and told us the attackers had left.”
“I saw my choir master shot in the chest."
When he stepped out, the priest said he was confronted with a devastating scene.
“Bodies were scattered around the church. I saw my choir master shot in the chest. He called me to pray for him. I did — but I told him we must take him to the hospital.”
He described a desperate effort to transport the injured.
“I shouted that anyone who could still drive should help move our brothers and sisters to the hospital,” he said.
He personally made two trips to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Owo, ferrying victims. By his second return, ambulances from FMC and St. Louis Catholic Hospital had arrived and were already conveying casualties.
“The emergency ward was filled. With the wailing and crying, I couldn’t even drive again,” he said.
“I could not identify the attackers”
During cross-examination, the priest said he could not estimate the number of people killed at the scene due to the chaos.
“It was like that proverb: the person hit by a vehicle does not wait to note the number plate,” he said. “I couldn’t count the dead.”
He also said he could not identify how many attackers stormed the church.
“With the commotion and my desire to rescue the children quickly, I did not identify or recognise those who carried out the attack,” he said.
Earlier, Adedipe informed the court that the charge had been amended to correct minor errors. The amended charges were read to the defendants, who all pleaded not guilty.
Justice Nwite adjourned further hearing to January 13 and 14, 2026.