Report: DSS links Owo church attack suspects to Al-Shabaab, opposes bail
By Kunle Sanni –
The Department of State Services (DSS) has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that five men on trial for the June 5, 2022 massacre at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, have connections to foreign fighters linked to the Al-Shabaab terrorist network.
According to a report by PUNCH on Tuesday, the DSS, in a counter-affidavit opposing their bail application, warned that releasing the men would jeopardize public safety, compromise witnesses, and increase the risk of the suspects fleeing trial.
The defendants — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al-Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) — were arraigned on August 11 on a nine-count terrorism charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025. The Owo church attack left about 40 worshippers dead and more than 100 injured.
According to the DSS, intelligence indicates that the accused have associates still at large who are “making frantic efforts to monitor the trial, intimidate witnesses, and free the defendants from lawful custody.” The agency added that some witnesses have refused to appear in court without protective measures due to threats from the suspects’ alleged network.
“There is a very high likelihood of the defendants evading trial given their connection to foreign fighters linked to Al-Shabaab,” the DSS stated, adding that it is pursuing leads to apprehend other conspirators.
The DSS also told the court that the defence had not produced credible sureties to justify bail, while the prosecution was prepared for a speedy trial.
Defence counsel Abdullahi Mohammad, however, argued that his clients have been in detention since 2022 and are prepared to present reliable sureties to guarantee their attendance in court.
