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A Department of State Services (DSS) witness in the case against four suspected terrorists behind the 2022 attack on St. Francs Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, on Tuesday, identified one of the defendants as part of the attack.
The witness, who said he is a member of the Ondo Security Network, tagged, “Amotekun,” told the Federal High Court in Abuja that he was able to identify the 2nd defendant, Al Qasim Idris, because they had a gun duel at close range.
Tuesday ‘s event was the second time since the trial opened that a prosecution witness would identify some of the defendants as perpetrators of the attack.
The 2nd prosecution witness (PW-2), identified as “SSB”, who said he is a member of the church and was in church when the attack occurred, had, while testifying, on January 13, identified Al Qasim Idris and Abdulhaleem Idris as those he saw during the attack.
READ ALSO:DSS opposes bail for Owo church attack suspects, cites Al-Shabab terrorist links
The DSS arraigned Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25) and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) for alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022 attack on the church.
The witness, who was led in evidence by prosecuting lawyer, Ayodeji Adedipe, (SAN), told the court that he was informed of the attack by his state’s commander who ordered him and his team to move to the church.
The witness said he saw blood everywhere and corpses of children, men and women on the floor when he got to the church.
He said he saw about 35 corpses..
“We learnt the attackers moved towards Achievers University at Ute Road. I pursued them with my men on our patrol vehicle.
“When we got to Ijegunman Village, and immediately they saw us, they ran into the bush. They are four in number.
“As they ran into the bush, they left the vehicle by the side of the road in Ijegunman, Ute. I searched the vehicle, saw a pack of pure water.
“The colour of the vehicle is blue with registration number: AKR/895/AG. So, I sent two of my men to drive the vehicle to Amotekun office in Owo,” he stated.
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