Crime
Owo Massacre: Catholic Priest Narrates Church Bombing, Shootings in Court
A Catholic priest on Thursday narrated before the Federal High Court in Abuja how terrorists launched a deadly attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, during Pentecost Sunday service in 2022.
Biztellers reports that the attack took the lives of more than 40 worshippers and injured over 100 others.
Testifying behind a protective screen and identified as “SSA” for security reasons, the priest appeared as the first prosecution witness in the trial of five suspects being prosecuted by the Department of State Services.
The defendants — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) — face a nine-count amended charge before Justice Emeka Nwite.
On the events of June 5, 2022, the priest said the attack occurred towards the end of the First Pentecost Sunday Mass, which he presided over.
While being led in evidence by DSS counsel, Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), the witness told the court that the attack took place towards the end of the First Pentecost Sunday celebration, which was attended by many worshippers.
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The priest, who said he presided over the service, stated that as the Mass was coming to a close, they suddenly heard a loud noise followed by sporadic gunshots, which created commotion and chaos among the congregation.
Facing the congregation, he initially thought someone had fallen, but then saw two members of the community quickly lock the main entrance.
An elder rushed to him and informed him they were under attack. At that moment, he also heard sporadic gunshots outside the church.
The witness said he initially wanted to run out but reconsidered because of the children present, adding that he and some members immediately tried to move the children to safety.
He said the only place available for refuge was the church restroom, where they continued to hear gunshots.
After two explosions went off, the third explosive detonated very close to where he was sheltering with the children, with an impact that felt as if the ground was about to open.
He stated, “The effect was like the ground opening to swallow us immediately. So, the attack continued. After a while, some of our church members came into this place and notified us that those who came to attack us had left.”
He said that after the attackers fled, he stepped out to see bodies and critically injured worshippers scattered around the church.
“Moving out with the children, I saw my choir master shot at the chest. He called me to pray for him. I did, but I told him I have to move him to the hospital.
“When I got out, I saw some already dead on the floor. So, I shouted that if there is any of us who could still drive, let us begin to move our brothers and sisters to the hospital,” the witness said.
During cross-examination, when asked if he counted the number of dead, the witness said it was impossible for him to ascertain the number of those killed under the commotion created by the attackers.
“It was with that violent attack that I understood that proverb that says, ‘the one struck or hit by a vehicle does not wait to take note of the vehicle’s number plate. So, I could not immediately count the number of those dead.
“Personally, I went two times to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, to take the casualties to the hospital. By the time I came the second time, there were already ambulances, both from FMC Owo and St. Louis Catholic Hospital, Owo, also moving the casualties to these two hospitals.
“The second time I got to FMC, the emergency ward was filled with these casualties. The casualties were those who were killed and injured.
“With the wailing, weeping and crying from people, I couldn’t even drive again. The care and healing of those injured continued,” the witness told the court.
The priest said he was later invited to the DSS office in Akure, Ondo State, where he made a statement.
During further cross-examination by defence lawyer Abdullahi Mohammad, the witness said he could not ascertain the number of attackers.
“With the commotion in the church, and my desire to rescue, especially the children, quickly as possible, I could not, and I did not identify or recognise those who carried out the attack.
“Therefore, I don’t know their number,” he added.
On how he managed to rescue the children, he explained that the children were at the foot of the sanctuary where he was standing when the attack started.
“As I said, with some adults, I moved with the children to a safe place. This safe place is the restroom, attached to the sanctuary as a building. From that building that is attached, you can move into the sanctuary and out of it,” he added.
Earlier at the commencement of proceedings, Adedipe informed the court that the charge had been amended to correct some minor errors.
He applied that the amended charge be read to the defendants, which was done, and the defendants all pleaded not guilty.
Justice Nwite adjourned the hearing to January 13 and 14, 2026, at 12 noon daily.
The European Union has imposed a €200 million fine on Chinese-owned online retail platform Temu over the sale of illegal and unsafe products across its marketplace.
EU regulators announced the penalty on Thursday, accusing the e-commerce giant of failing to properly prevent dangerous items from reaching consumers within the bloc.
According to the European Commission, European shoppers were highly likely to encounter illegal products on Temu, including unsafe baby toys, defective chargers, and jewellery that failed safety standards.
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The EU said Temu failed to adequately assess the risks linked to illegal products being sold on its platform, adding that the company underestimated the level of harm such items could pose to consumers.
EU tech commissioner Henna Virkkunen said Temu’s rapid expansion in Europe made the issue more concerning, noting that millions of users could potentially be exposed to unsafe products.
Temu, however, disagreed with the decision and described the fine as “disproportionate.” The company stated that it had cooperated with regulators and already introduced additional measures to improve platform governance and user safety.
The sanction was issued under the European Union’s Digital Services Act, a major law aimed at holding large digital platforms accountable for illegal content and consumer risks online.
The platform, which entered the European market in 2023, has grown rapidly and now boasts about 130 million users within the EU.
Regulators also disclosed that investigations into other suspected breaches by Temu are still ongoing, including concerns over addictive app features and its recommendation systems.
Temu has been given until August 28 to submit a compliance plan outlining how it intends to address the violations or risk facing further penalties.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, over his alleged involvement in a N33.8 billion fraud linked to power sector projects in Nigeria.
The arrest comes months after Mamman was convicted in absentia on multiple counts bordering on the alleged diversion of public funds meant for critical electricity infrastructure, including the Mambilla Power Project and other national power initiatives.
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EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, confirmed that the former minister was apprehended at about 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday in the Rigasa area of Kaduna State following weeks of intelligence-led surveillance operations.
According to him, Mamman had evaded arrest since his conviction and sentencing, prompting a sustained nationwide search by EFCC operatives.
He said the arrest represents a major breakthrough in the commission’s efforts to ensure that all individuals found guilty of financial crimes are brought to justice, regardless of their status or influence.
Two suspects arrested for allegedly harbouring ex-minister
The EFCC also disclosed that two other individuals were arrested during the operation for allegedly assisting and providing shelter to the former minister while he was on the run.
Investigators are currently questioning the suspects to determine the extent of their involvement in aiding a convicted fugitive.
Properties and assets under investigation
The anti-graft agency further revealed that it has identified additional properties suspected to be linked to Mamman, adding that asset recovery processes are already underway.
EFCC boss Olukoyede noted that the case has exposed weaknesses in monitoring high-profile corruption trials, adding that reforms would be introduced to prevent similar lapses in future cases.
Prosecutor confirms enforcement of court order
The Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), said the arrest marks the enforcement of a court judgment, stating that Mamman’s conviction and sentence are now being fully implemented following his capture.
He added that the next step would be the ex-minister’s transfer to a correctional facility in line with legal procedures.
Bizteller recalls that Saleh Mamman was convicted over allegations of diverting funds allocated for major power projects, including the Mambilla hydroelectric scheme, one of Nigeria’s largest and most strategic energy investments.
The EFCC says the arrest underscores its commitment to tackling corruption and recovering stolen public funds across the country.
Operatives of the Kebbi State Hisbah Board, an agency under the state Ministry of Religious Affairs, have arrested a man allegedly found hiding inside a “Ghana Must-Go” bag at the residence of a married woman in the Badariya area of Birnin Kebbi.)
The Director of Sharia at the board, Sirajo Kamba, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi.
According to Kamba, residents of the community alerted the Hisbah Board around 12:15 a.m. on Monday, May 18, after noticing a man entering the woman’s residence under suspicious circumstances.
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He explained that the residents suspected the pair were involved in an illicit relationship considered contrary to Islamic teachings and therefore decided to formally notify the authorities.
“Upon receiving the report, the Kebbi Hisbah Board swiftly deployed officers to investigate the matter,” Kamba said.
He disclosed that when officers arrived at the residence and requested permission to search the premises, the married woman initially denied that anyone else was inside the house.
Kamba, however, noted that the woman later allowed the operatives to conduct a thorough search, which led to the discovery of the suspect allegedly concealed inside a large “Ghana Must-Go” bag.
Further investigations, according to the Hisbah official, revealed that the suspect allegedly had a romantic relationship with the married woman.
He added that both suspects allegedly admitted to the claims during interrogation and would be arraigned before a Sharia court to face legal proceedings under Islamic law.
The incident has since sparked reactions among residents, many expressing shock over the unusual manner in which the suspect was allegedly hidden inside the bag.
Meanwhile, the development comes days after the Kano State Hisbah Board arrested two women and a 35-year-old fish seller over an alleged attempt to engage in immoral acts in the state.
The Director of Public Enlightenment of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Auwalu Sheshe, had disclosed in a statement that operatives found the fish seller, identified as Ali Abubakar from the Kano Cooperative area, alongside his female companion, Fatima Abubakar, a 28-year-old woman from the Niger Republic, inside a room allegedly preparing to engage in immoral conduct.
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