Al-Shabab: ‘Granting Bail To Owo Church Attack Suspects Will Endanger Lives’ – DSS Warns

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed that five suspects standing trial over their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022, terror attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, have ties to foreign terrorist fighters linked to the Al-Shabab group

The DSS stated this while urging a Federal High Court in Abuja to deny bail to the five men. They warned that the suspects could abscond and their release would endanger the lives of witnesses.

The defendants are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47).

They were arraigned on August 11 on nine counts, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025, bordering on terrorism.

The DSS argued that granting bail would endanger the safety of witnesses and compromise the trial.

It said: “There is a very high likelihood of defendants evading trial in view of their connection to foreign fighters linked to the Al-Shabab terrorist group. The defendants’ accomplices are still at large and have been making frantic efforts to monitor their trial, intimidate witnesses and free the defendants from lawful custody.”

The DSS disclosed that it was “currently investigating the leads with a view to apprehending those individuals, planning to intimidate witnesses and compromise the trial in the interest of the applicants.

“The prosecution witnesses have expressed fears of attacks by defendants’ cohorts and have stated that they will not attend court sessions except their fears are allayed.

“This necessitated the filing of an ex parte application for witness protection.

“The prosecution has demonstrated readiness for a speedy trial of the substantive charge.

“The defendants have not presented any evidence to show that they have credible sureties.

“It will not be in the interest of justice and security of prosecution witnesses to grant the application for bail,” the DSS said.

Defence lawyer, Abdullahi Mohammad, had, while moving the bail application on Tuesday, noted that his client’s had been in custody since they were arrested in 2022.

Mohammad said his clients were ready to present credible and reliable sureties to demonstrate their willingness to stand trial.

Prosecuting lawyer, Dr. Calistus Eze, however, urged the court to reject the bail application for being unmeritorious.

Eze stated that there are ongoing threats to would-be witnesses of the prosecution, which the defence lawyer was aware of.

After taking arguments from both lawyers, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned till September 10 for ruling on the bail application.