Two more prosecution witnesses on Tuesday gave vivid and harrowing accounts of the June 5, 2022 terror attack on St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, as the Federal High Court in Abuja admitted additional exhibits from the Department of State Services.

The DSS is prosecuting five suspects — Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) — on amended nine counts, bordering on terrorism. All the defendants have pleaded not guilty.

The June 2022 attack occurred during a Sunday Mass marking the Feast of Pentecost. Gunmen stormed the church, locking the main entrance before opening fire on worshippers and detonating explosives.

The coordinated assault claimed at least 41 lives and left over 100 injured, leaving a deep scar on the Owo community.

During Tuesday’s hearing, a male witness identified only as SSB recounted in detail how the attack unfolded. Under cross-examination by DSS counsel Adedayo Adedipe (SAN), the witness said the gunmen forced their way into the church through a secondary entrance after worshippers tried to secure the main door.

“In a matter of seconds, I saw one man holding a gun. He looked at the church, then beckoned to someone behind him,” SSB told the court.

Initially, he identified the fifth defendant, Momoh Abubakar, but later corrected himself to point out the second defendant, Al Qasim Idris, after the defendant removed his face mask and moved closer.

SSB also identified Abdulhaleem Idris as the fourth defendant — the man carrying a bag when the attackers were preparing to leave.

He described hearing multiple explosions while the assailants fired indiscriminately at worshippers.

“I fell on my face in fear. After the attackers left, I saw two dead bodies outside the church. More than 40 worshippers were killed while many others were injured,” he said.

A second witness, a female referred to as SSC, told the court she survived the attack but sustained permanent injuries to her left leg.

She recalled the terrifying moment a gunman dropped dynamite near her while demanding, “Do you know why we are doing this?”

She also recounted seeing the body of her two-year-old cousin, whose mother could not identify her at the hospital due to severe injuries and dust from the explosion.

SSC showed her operated leg in court, noting that it had undergone four surgeries and still contained metal fixtures.

Both witnesses confirmed that they had made statements to the DSS at its Akure office on May 26, 2024.

Their extra-judicial statements were formally admitted into evidence as Exhibits B and C without objection from the defense.

The Federal High Court has so far been hearing the trial in multiple sessions, with the prosecution presenting detailed evidence, including witness testimonies and material exhibits, to establish the identities of the perpetrators and the sequence of the attack.

In his remarks, DSS counsel, Adedayo Adedipe (SAN), said the prosecution intends to call seven more witnesses, with two scheduled to testify at the next hearing. The witnesses are expected to provide further insights into the planning, execution, and aftermath of the attack.

Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the trial to January 14, 2026, for the continuation of proceedings.

The Owo church attack remains one of Nigeria’s deadliest terrorist incidents targeting civilians in a place of worship. Investigators and security agencies have been painstakingly compiling evidence to ensure accountability, while the trial serves as a critical step toward justice for victims and their families.

The case highlights ongoing security challenges in the country, particularly the vulnerability of religious gatherings to targeted violence, and underscores the role of the DSS in counter-terrorism investigations and prosecution.

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The Delta State Police Command has foiled a planned kidnap operation and recovered firearms and ammunition following a covert operation by its Special Assignment Team.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, the command said operatives of the CP Special Assignment Team, acting on credible intelligence, stormed a suspected criminal hideout along a bush path in the Upper Agbarho area of the state.

According to the statement, intelligence reports indicated that about six suspected kidnappers were sighted in the area, prompting a coordinated operation at about 9:35 p.m. on January 11, 2026.

It was stated that the operation was led by Julius Robinson in collaboration with community vigilantes.

“Upon sighting the police operatives, the suspects opened fire,” the command said, adding that officers responded “with superior firepower,” forcing the suspects to flee with varying degrees of injury.

The police disclosed that the fleeing suspects abandoned weapons and other incriminating items at the scene.

Items recovered include “one FNC rifle loaded with one round of live ammunition and one pump-action gun with thirty-two rounds of live cartridges.”

“All exhibits have been recovered and taken into custody,” the statement said, noting that a manhunt had been launched to arrest the suspects who escaped.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Aina Adesola, commended the operatives for what he described as their courage and effective use of intelligence.

The CP reiterated that the command “remains resolute in denying criminal elements the space to operate,” warning that Delta State “will continue to be hostile to all forms of criminality.”

The police assured residents of sustained efforts to curb kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes across the state.

Controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, was on Monday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Ota, Ogun State, over criminal charges including assault and resisting arrest.

Confirming the development to our correspondent, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said Portable was arrested and arraigned in Ota on Monday.

“Yes, he was arraigned and remanded yesterday,” Babaseyi said on Tuesday.

Portable’s arraignment followed a viral video that surfaced on Sunday showing him in handcuffs, shirtless and tearfully pleading while seated on a couch in what appeared to be a police holding area.

His arrest reportedly followed allegations of assault against actress and skit maker Omobolarinde Akinyanju, better known as Ashabi Simple, who is one of the musician’s baby mamas and the mother of two of his children.

In court, Vanguard reported that the prosecution alleged that the Zazu crooner attacked Ashabi, alongside some police officers and other individuals, at his bar in the Iyana Ilogbo area on New Year’s Day.

Other alleged victims named in the charge sheet include Ileyemi Damilola, Akinyanju Oluwabusayomi, Olowu Olumide, Demilade Ogunniyi and Ebuka Odah.

The prosecution further alleged that Portable stole a Mercedes-Benz E300 valued at ₦12 million, belonging to Ileyemi Damilola and associated with car dealer Wally Dex Auto.

During the proceedings, two siblings of Ashabi Simple testified as witnesses to the alleged assault, although Ashabi herself was absent from court.

Police also alleged that the singer obstructed and assaulted a female police inspector, Ogungbe Olayemi, while she was performing her official duties.

The presiding judge declined to grant the singer bail, citing the absence of the allegedly assaulted police officer in court.

The judge ruled that the officer must be present before a decision on the bail application could be made and consequently remanded Portable in custody, adjourning the bail hearing to January 19.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command has ordered an investigation into a separate viral video allegedly showing the singer being assaulted while in custody.