Owo church attack: Suspect details DSS arrest in court
Naija News • 49m ago
**Nigerian Church Attack: Witness Reveals Shocking Details of DSS Arrest**
In the aftermath of the June 2022 St. Francis Catholic Church attack in Owo, Ondo State, which left scores dead and others injured, the trial of the suspects has been ongoing. Recently, one of the defendants, Idris Omeiza, took the stand to share his account of how he was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to Omeiza, his ordeal began on August 1, 2022, at 2:26 am, when DSS operatives stormed his residence, forcing their way in and arresting him alongside two other young boys. He claimed that the agents were looking for his elder brother, Jamiu, and that they took them to the DSS facility in Lokoja, Kogi State. During his detention, Omeiza stated that he was only asked to provide personal details, which he volunteered the next day.
However, it wasn't until they were moved to Ondo State on August 18, 2022, that Omeiza was confronted with allegations related to the church attack. He claimed that at the DSS headquarters in Ondo, he and his elder brother were detained in the same room and interrogated about the attack. This revelation sheds light on the manner in which suspects are handled by the DSS and the need for transparency in such cases.
The church attack, which occurred on June 5, 2022, resulted in the loss of 41 lives and injured over 140 others. The incident sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice. The DSS has arraigned five suspects, including Omeiza, on terrorism-related charges. The trial has been ongoing, with the prosecution calling 11 witnesses and the court admitting the defendants' confessional statements after a trial-within-trial.
As the trial continues, Omeiza's testimony has sparked interesting questions about the handling of suspects by the DSS and the need for more transparency in such cases. With the next hearing scheduled for March 6, Nigerians are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the trial and the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families.