Feb 20 • 07:19 UTC 🌍 Africa AllAfrica

Nigeria: SSS Agent Tells Court How Owo Church Massacre Suspect Was Tracked Through His Phone

An SSS agent detailed in court how a suspect in the Owo church massacre was tracked using his mobile phone.

In a recent hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja, an agent from Nigeria's State Security Service (SSS) provided critical testimony regarding the tracking of a suspect linked to the tragic massacre at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State. The agent detailed techniques such as geospatial network filtering and cell tower triangulation that were employed to narrow down the location of the suspect through his mobile phone. This tracking ultimately led law enforcement to identify other implicated defendants in the June 2022 incident.

The testimony, given by a senior agent with nearly three decades of experience in digital forensics, marks a significant moment in the ongoing trial. As the last prosecution witness, codenamed SSK to protect his identity, his insights underscore the technological measures used in contemporary criminal investigations, raising questions about privacy and surveillance in the fight against terrorism and violent crime.

With the prosecution's case now complete, the defense is set to present its arguments in the upcoming proceedings scheduled for March. The trial continues to attract attention, reflecting the broader societal impact of the Owo church massacre, which shocked the local community and ignited national discussions around security and safety in places of worship. This case is likely to influence public sentiment and policy regarding security measures in vulnerable locations across Nigeria.

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