The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the request of the Department of State Service (DSS) to shield the identities of the witnesses giving evidence in the trial of the five alleged Al-Shabab terrorists involved in the June 5, 2022 attack at St. Francs Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, in which over 40 worshippers died.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the request on Tuesday while delivering a ruling on an ex parte application filed and argued by the DSS.

A legal practitioner, Dr C. S Eze, who argued the application on behalf of the DSS, predicated it on the need to protect the witnesses from possible attacks.

He argued that terrorism cases are so sensitive that witnesses must be protected at the court’s order.

Having not opposed, Justice Nwite granted the request and ordered DSS not to reveal the names and identities of those to testify in the matter.

The five accused persons are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.

Over 40 people were reported to have died in the bomb attack, while over 100 others sustained injuries.

The five defendants were arraigned on August 11 on a nine-count terrorism charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025 filed by the DSS.

They are accused of being members of Al Shabab terrorist group, belonging to a cell in Kogi State.

The defendants are alleged to have carried out the attack for the furtherance of their religious ideology.

However, they pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them by a court official.