Victims, Community Hail DSS for Swift Action on Church Attack Suspect
Families who lost loved ones and survivors of a horrific 2012 gun attack on the Deeper Life Bible Church in Otite, Kogi State, have expressed profound relief and gratitude. This follows the re-arrest and swift arraignment of the alleged mastermind, Abdulmalik Abdulazeez Obadaki, by the Department of State Security (DSS).
For over a decade, the community has lived with the trauma of the assault, which many attributed to the Ansaru terrorist group. The recent legal proceedings have ignited a renewed, albeit cautious, hope for long-awaited justice.
A Day of Bloodshed: Recalling the 2012 Otite Attack
The nightmare unfolded on 7 August 2012. Three armed men stormed a Bible study session at the church, opening fire with AK-47 rifles. The assault was swift and brutal.
Fifteen worshippers were killed instantly at the scene. The violence did not end there, as four more individuals later succumbed to the injuries they sustained, bringing the total death toll to 19. Several dozens more were left wounded in the attack.
Following the church massacre, Obadaki was further implicated in a series of violent bank robberies. He was alleged to have led a gang that raided five commercial banks in Uromi, Edo State, killing several people and making off with large sums of money.
A Long Road to Justice: Arrest, Escape, and Recapture
Obadaki's journey through the justice system has been marked by dramatic twists. After his initial arrest for the bank heists, he was remanded at the Kuje Prison. However, his incarceration was cut short by the major jailbreak at the Kuje Custodial Centre in July 2022, from which he escaped.
This escape deepened the despair of the victims' families, who felt justice was slipping away. Their hopes were revived on 15 November 2025, when the DSS announced it had successfully recaptured the fugitive.
The security agency moved with notable speed. Just six days later, on 21 November 2025, Obadaki was brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He faced a six-count charge sheet that included serious allegations of terrorism, conspiracy, aiding attacks, concealment of information, and escape from lawful custody.
When the charges were read in court, Obadaki entered a guilty plea only for the count of escaping from lawful custody. Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the case to 26 January 2026 and ordered that the defendant remain in DSS custody until the next hearing.
Community's Cautious Optimism and Renewed Faith
The development has been warmly welcomed by residents of Otite, who praised the DSS for its decisive action. A community leader from the area shared the collective emotional journey.
"We had practically given up on ever getting justice," he confessed. "After attacking our church, they moved to attack banks in Uromi. We were happy at his first arrest, but the long years without trial sowed seeds of doubt. The 2022 jailbreak was another blow."
He highlighted the lasting stigma and pain, noting that an online search of Otite primarily yields results about the terrorist attack. "We still live with the scars," he added.
The leader expressed that the DSS's recent actions under its new leadership have changed the narrative. "Suddenly, we heard he was recaptured and quickly arraigned. Our cautious optimism has given way to rekindled faith. We believe things will be different this time, and we will get justice from our courts," he stated.
Survivors and families of the victims echoed this sentiment, affirming their confidence in the court's ability to deliver a just verdict. They also commended the DSS for demonstrating a renewed vigour in prosecuting the long-dormant case, offering a semblance of closure on the horizon.
