The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the request of the Department of State Services (DSS) to shield the identities of witnesses in the trial of five suspected Al-Shabaab terrorists linked to the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, which left over 40 worshippers dead and more than 100 injured.

Naijaonpoint reports that Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order on Tuesday while ruling on an ex parte application filed and argued by DSS counsel, Dr. C. S. Eze.

In his submission, Eze told the court that terrorism-related cases are highly sensitive and pose serious security risks to witnesses.

“The application was predicated on the need to protect NAIJAONPOINT es from possible attacks,” he argued, stressing that witness protection was necessary to ensure the trial proceeded without intimidation or harm to those willing to testify.

Justice Nwite, who noted that the defence did not oppose the application, granted the request and directed that the DSS must not reveal the names or identities of NAIJAONPOINT es who would give evidence in the trial.

The five defendants standing trial are: Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.

Naijaonpoint reports that they were arraigned on August 11, 2025, on a nine-count terrorism charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025.

According to the DSS, the defendants are alleged members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group, belonging to a cell in Kogi State. They are accused of carrying out the Owo church massacre in furtherance of extremist religious ideology.

The Owo massacre shocked the nation when attackers stormed St. Francis Catholic Church during a Sunday mass on June 5, 2022, detonating explosives and shooting at worshippers.

Over 40 people were killed, while more than 100 others sustained various degrees of injuries.

The brutality of the attack drew national and international condemnation, with the Ondo State Government and Catholic Church calling it an attack on humanity.

When the charges were read to them, the five defendants pleaded not guilty.

The trial is expected to continue in Abuja under tight security, with the DSS now under court order to protect the identities of its witnesses.