By Peter Omopo
A Catholic priest on Thursday gave a harrowing account of the June 5, 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, telling the Federal High Court in Abuja how gunmen detonated explosives and opened fire on worshippers, killing more than 40 and injuring over 100 during the Pentecost Sunday service.
Testifying behind a protective screen and identified only as “SSA” for security reasons, the priest appeared as the first prosecution witness in the trial of five men charged in connection with the massacre.
The defendants — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) — are facing a nine-count amended terrorism charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) before Justice Emeka Nwite.
‘We heard a loud explosion, then gunshots’
Led in evidence by DSS counsel Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), the priest recounted that the attack occurred towards the end of the First Pentecost Sunday Mass, which he presided over and which was attended by hundreds of worshippers.
He said the service was winding down when a deafening explosion shattered the calm.
“We suddenly heard a loud noise followed by sporadic gunshots,” he said, describing the immediate chaos as worshippers screamed and ran for safety.
Initially thinking someone had fallen, he turned to see community members rushing to lock the main entrance. An elder then alerted him: “Father, we are under attack.”
The priest said he heard sustained gunfire outside and considered escaping, but resolved to stay because of the children at the foot of the sanctuary.
Sheltering children as explosions rocked the church
He and some parishioners moved the children into the church restroom, the only available safe area.
“There were two explosions, and the third detonated very close to where we were. The effect was like the ground opening to swallow us,” he said.
After the attackers left, church members came to alert them. He stepped out to a scene of carnage.
“I saw bodies and critically injured worshippers everywhere. My choir master was shot in the chest; he asked me to pray for him,” he told the court.
He helped coordinate the evacuation of victims, urging those still able to drive to take the wounded to the hospital.
‘I couldn’t count the dead’
Under cross-examination, the priest said he could not determine the exact number of victims immediately after the attack.
“With that violent attack, I understood the proverb: the one struck by a vehicle does not wait to check the number plate,” he said.
He made two trips transporting casualties to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, where he later saw ambulances from FMC and St. Louis Catholic Hospital assisting with the evacuation.
“The emergency ward was filled. With the crying and wailing from people, I couldn’t even drive again,” he said, noting that treatment for survivors continued in the days after.
He confirmed that he made a statement to DSS investigators in Akure after the incident.
Witness: I didn’t see the attackers
Asked if he identified the assailants, the priest said he could not.
“With the commotion and my desire to rescue the children as quickly as possible, I did not identify or recognise those who carried out the attack. I don’t know their number,” he said.
He added that he moved the children through a corridor connecting the sanctuary to a restroom area where they waited out the assault.
Court proceedings
Earlier, DSS counsel Adedipe informed the court that the charge had been amended to correct minor errors. The amended charge was read to the defendants, who all pleaded not guilty.
Justice Nwite adjourned the trial to January 13 and 14, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
