The Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted additional witnesses and exhibits tendered by the Department of State Services (DSS) in the ongoing trial of five men accused of carrying out the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

Two more prosecution witnesses testified on Tuesday before Justice Emeka Nwite, while fresh exhibits were admitted without objection from the defence. The defendants are facing a nine-count amended charge bordering on terrorism and related offences.

Those on trial are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25) and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47). All had pleaded not guilty at their arraignment.

At the hearing, the witnesses, identified only as SSB and SSC for security reasons, gave graphic accounts of the attack, which occurred during Sunday Mass.

SSB, a female student from Anambra State, told the court that the attackers forced their way into the church, locked the main entrance and opened fire on worshippers, including those seated at the choir gallery. She said an explosive device was placed close to her head while one of the assailants spoke, but she managed to move away before it detonated.

With the court’s permission, the witness showed her injured left leg, explaining that she had undergone four surgeries and still had metal implants in the limb. She also told the court that a two-year-old relative was shot from behind during the attack and died instantly.

The second witness corroborated her testimony, stating that about 40 worshippers were confirmed dead shortly after the attackers fled the scene. He added that explosives were detonated three times inside the church, causing widespread destruction.

Both witnesses told the court that they were invited by the DSS to its Akure office, where they made voluntary statements on May 26, 2024. Their extra-judicial statements were admitted as Exhibits B and C.

At the close of proceedings, counsel to the DSS, Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), informed the court that the prosecution plans to call seven more witnesses, though only two are expected to testify at the next sitting. Defence counsel, Abdullahi Auwal Mohammed, represented the defendants.

Justice Nwite adjourned the case to January 14 for continuation of the trial. The court recalled that a Catholic priest, also identified as SSA, had earlier testified on December 11, 2025, as the first prosecution witness.