Two additional witnesses testified on Tuesday against five suspects standing trial for the June 5, 2022, terror attack on Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.

The hearing took place at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the Department of State Services (DSS) tendered additional exhibits, all of which were admitted by Justice Emeka Nwite.

The attack involved gunmen and explosives, killing 41 worshippers and leaving more than 100 injured, including victims who suffered amputations.

The first witness, a female student from Anambra State identified as SSB, recounted how the attackers stormed the church, locked the main entrance, and fired shots at worshippers in the choir gallery.

She described how an explosive device was placed near her head. While she avoided fatal injury by moving, the blast shattered her left leg. She displayed the leg in court and confirmed it required four surgeries before she could walk, with iron supports still in place.

SSB also recounted the death of her brother’s two-year-old cousin, who was shot in the head during the attack.

The second witness, SSC, corroborated the events, noting that the church was bombed three times, causing extensive structural damage, and that 40 worshippers were killed immediately after the gunmen fled.

Both witnesses confirmed they had voluntarily given statements to the DSS at its Akure office on May 26, 2024. Their extrajudicial statements were admitted as Exhibits B and C without objection.

The DSS, prosecuting the five suspects on a nine-count amended charge, plans to call seven more witnesses, with two set to testify on January 14. The defendants—Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar—pleaded not guilty.

Justice Nwite adjourned the trial to January 14 for the continuation of proceedings, following prior testimony from a Catholic priest who served as the first prosecution witness in the case.