By MMN reporter 11.12.2025
A witness at the ongoing trial of terror suspects connected with the bombing of St Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Ondo State was on 5 June 2022 has told a Federal High Court in Abuja narrated how the terrorists linked to Somalia based Al-Shabab carried out the operation.
Forty worshipers were killed in the attack that shook the nation. The witness who was presented by the Department of State Services said the blast occurred at the tail end of the church service. He added that there were sporadic gunshots followed by three blasts within Church premises.
The five suspects on trial for terrorism include Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.
“I was in the church on 5 June 2022 coordinating mass. It was at the tail end of the mass that all of a sudden, we started hearing sporadic shooting of guns within the church premises.
“A serious confusion ensued but I managed to go to the children hall and moved them to the restroom to protect them from the attackers.
“Along the line, I heard three loud explosions during the deadly attack, the third being close to where I and the children were taking shelter. The impact of the third explosion was like the ground caved in.
“The deadly attack led to instant death of over 40 worshippers and several others sufferer various degrees of injury and were moved in ambulances to hospitals,” the witness said.
Hearing the case continues on January 14, 2026, while the suspects remain in the custody of the DSS.
Suspects facing trial for bombing of St Francis Catholic Church Owo.