Four Sentenced to Death for Owo Church Massacre

On Wednesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced four men to death by hanging for their roles in the June 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which led to the deaths of 40 worshippers and injuries to 100 others.

The convicted individuals are Idri Abdulmalik (25), Omeiza Abdulmalik (26), Al Qasim Idri (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), and Abdulhaleem Idri (25). The court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, found that the prosecution successfully proved the case of terrorism against the four men beyond a reasonable doubt.

They were accused of belonging to an active terrorist group and participating in the church attack, which involved the use of improvised explosive devices and AK-47 rifles. A fifth defendant, 47-year-old Momoh Otuho Abubakar, was discharged and acquitted.

The suspects were initially arraigned on August 11, 2022, on nine counts of terrorism.