Owo Church Trial: Another Witness Picks Suspect From Dock
A second security operative has identified Al Quasim Idris, the 2nd defendant, as one of the gunmen who attacked St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, in June 2022 — killing dozens of worshippers.
The witness, an Amotekun operative codenamed SSH, testified on Wednesday as the 8th Prosecution Witness (PW8) before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
His testimony corroborated that of a fellow Amotekun officer who, a day earlier, had also identified Idris in open court.
Gunfight in the Bush
SSH told the court that on June 5, 2022, his team was on an anti-kidnapping mission when they received a distress call redirecting them to the church.
On arrival, he said:
“We met a crowd and managed to enter the church premises. We saw several dead bodies on the floor, both inside and around the church, including injured women and children.”
The team was informed that the attackers — four in number — had fled in a blue Nissan car.
They pursued the vehicle towards Ute Road, and eventually got close because their vehicle was faster.
“The attackers abruptly parked their car and ran into the bush. One of our men and a volunteer hunter went after them.”
Face-to-Face With the Gunmen
During the ensuing gun battle, the witness said he came face-to-face with Al Quasim Idris.
The volunteer hunter was killed in the exchange. SSH said:
“We later went back into the bush to retrieve his body.”
The Nissan car was recovered and taken to their office, then moved to the Amotekun state headquarters in Akure.
Cross-Examination: Ownership of Vehicle
Under cross-examination by defence counsel Abdullahi Mohammad, the witness disclosed that the owner of the Nissan car later came forward to identify himself at their office.
However, SSH admitted he was not part of the team that interviewed the owner, and could not recall how many operatives retrieved the hunter’s body.
Who Is on Trial?
The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting five men in connection with the attack:
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Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, 25
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Al Qasim Idris, 20
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Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26
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Abdulhaleem Idris, 25
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Momoh Otuho Abubakar, 47
What’s Next in Court
Prosecution lawyer Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN) requested a three-day adjournment to allow the DSS call its remaining witnesses and close its case.
The defence did not object.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned proceedings to March 24, 25, and 26, 2026, for continuation of trial.
With two Amotekun operatives now positively identifying Al Quasim Idris in court, the prosecution’s case is tightening.
The question that remains:
Will more witnesses place the other defendants at the scene?
For the families of the 40+ worshippers killed that day, the answer cannot come soon enough.
