Four Sentenced to Death for Owo Church Terror Attack

On a significant legal ruling, the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced four defendants to death for their roles in the June 5, 2022, terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which claimed the lives of 40 worshippers.

The court found Idri Abdulmalik, Omeiza Al Qasim, Jamiu Abdulmalik, and Abdulhaleem Idri guilty of terrorism-related charges. The Department of State Services (DSS) had previously arraigned five individuals in connection with the attack, alleging their involvement with a foreign terrorist group responsible for the incident.

However, the court discharged and acquitted one defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, on nine counts of terrorism charges. Justice Emeka Nwite presided over the case, which underscores the ongoing efforts to address terrorism in Nigeria, particularly in the southwestern region.