A witness of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the suspected terrorists responsible for the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, were funded, armed, and mobilised for the assault.

The witness, who testified under protection and was identified as SSI, is the ninth prosecution witness (PW-9). He said he led the DSS investigation into the attack before Justice Emeka Nwite.

According to him, more than 40 people died, while over 100 others sustained injuries during the incident.

The prosecution tendered what it described as a comprehensive investigation report, which the court admitted without objection and marked as an exhibit.

The five defendants are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al-Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47).

Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, Mr. Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, the witness said he is a Deputy Director in charge of Counter-Terrorism Investigation and headed the investigative team mandated to identify the perpetrators, sponsors, and circumstances of the attack.

He said intelligence gathering and technical operations led to the arrest of five suspects in August 2022 in Kogi and Ondo States.

According to the witness, investigations revealed that the suspects were members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a proscribed terrorist group, operating around Okene and Adavi in Kogi State, and parts of Ose Local Government Area in Ondo State under the coordination of one Odoba.

He gave detailed testimony on how meetings were allegedly held on May 30, 2022, during which instructions were issued to attack the church and kill the priest.

The court heard that weapons, including five AK-47 rifles, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices, were allegedly supplied for the attack.

The witness described how the attackers allegedly drove to the church, opened fire on worshippers, detonated explosives, and caused multiple fatalities and injuries. He stated that 40 people died at the Federal Medical Centre, while others were wounded.

He also testified that the fifth defendant allegedly operated several Point of Sale (POS) units and received N800,000 in two instalments weeks before the attack. The funds were allegedly distributed to members of the group without evidence of legitimate business transactions.

Technical evidence, he said, established communication among the defendants around the time of the attack.

Medical and autopsy reports, as well as 30 photographs from the scene, were admitted in evidence without objection.

Defence counsel, Mr. Abdullahi Mohammad, did not object to the reports being tendered but requested time to study them before cross-examination.

Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until February 18 at 11 a.m. for continuation of trial.