A Catholic priest on Thursday gave a harrowing account before the Federal High Court in Abuja of how terrorists stormed 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,” the priest appeared as the first prosecution witness in the trial of five suspects charged by the Department of State Services.
The defendants — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar — are facing a nine-count amended charge before Justice Emeka Nwite.
Narrating the events of June 5, 2022, the witness said the attack erupted toward the end of the First Pentecost Sunday Mass, which he presided over. A sudden explosion followed by bursts of gunfire sent the packed congregation into panic.
He told the court he initially thought someone had fallen, until he saw worshippers locking the main entrance and heard an elder announce that the church was under attack. With children gathered near the sanctuary, he abandoned the idea of fleeing and led them with the help of some adults into the restroom attached to the building for safety.
The priest said multiple explosions shook the church, with the third detonating close to where he hid with the children. When the attackers eventually fled, he emerged to find bodies and critically injured worshippers scattered across the premises.
“I saw my choir master shot in the chest,” he said, recalling how he prayed for him before attempting to move casualties to the hospital. He made two trips to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, before ambulances from FMC and St. Louis Catholic Hospital arrived to take over.
Under cross-examination, the priest said it was impossible to count the number of attackers or casualties in the chaos. His priority, he told the court, was rescuing children and moving victims to safety. He later provided a statement to the DSS in Akure.
Earlier, prosecution counsel Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN) informed the court that the charge sheet had been amended to correct minor errors. The defendants pleaded not guilty.
Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to January 13 and 14, 2026.
