By Iyunade Grace
A DSS witness, a victim of the Owo church massacre, identified two suspects, Qasim Idris and Abdulhaleem Idris, as attackers in court. The witness, who was present during the June 5, 2022, attack, recounted the horrific events, stating that the attackers entered the church disguised as congregants and opened fire, killing over 40 people and injuring more than 100 others.
The witness, who sat in the second row, described how the attackers locked the main entrance, trapping worshippers inside. He identified Abdulhaleem Idris as the one carrying a bag and Qasim Idris as one of the shooters. The witness also showed the court his injured leg, which was damaged by an explosive device thrown by the attackers.
The trial is ongoing, with five defendants facing nine counts of terrorism charges. The defendants are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.
A Catholic priest who testified earlier in the trial recounted the chaos and panic as worshippers scrambled for safety. He sheltered children in a restroom, where they heard gunshots and explosions. The priest also described seeing his choir master shot in the chest and rushing wounded victims to the hospital.
The Owo church massacre was one of the deadliest attacks in Nigeria’s recent history, sparking widespread outrage and condemnation. The federal government attributed the attack to Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The court is expected to continue hearing the case, with the DSS presenting more witnesses. The defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges .
