Owo Church Attackers Have Links to Al-Shabab, DSS Tells Court

The Department of State Services (DSS) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to deny bail to five men standing trial over their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022, terrorist attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, which killed about 40 worshippers and injured over 100 others.

The defendants—Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47)—were arraigned on August 11 on a nine-count charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025) bordering on terrorism.

DSS Opposes Bail

In a counter-affidavit to their bail application, the DSS alleged that the accused men have ties to foreign fighters linked to the Al-Shabab terrorist group. The service warned that releasing them on bail could compromise national security, endanger witnesses, and jeopardize the trial.

“There is a very high likelihood of defendants evading trial in view of their connection to foreign fighters linked to Al-Shabab. Their accomplices are still at large and are making frantic efforts to monitor the trial, intimidate witnesses, and free the defendants from lawful custody,” the DSS stated.

The security agency further disclosed that it is investigating intelligence leads to apprehend other collaborators allegedly plotting to compromise proceedings.

Witness Protection

According to the DSS, several prosecution witnesses had expressed fears of attacks, prompting the agency to file an ex parte application for their protection.

In a brief ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite granted the application, ordering that witnesses testify under protection—hooded and veiled—while their real names and personal details remain shielded from the public record.

Court Proceedings

Prosecuting counsel, Dr. Calistus Eze, urged the court to reject the bail application, describing it as unmeritorious in light of ongoing threats to witnesses. He confirmed that the case had been reassigned to Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ayodeji Adedipe, who will now lead the prosecution once a fiat is secured from the Attorney-General’s office.

Justice Nwite adjourned ruling on the bail application until September 10, 2025.