A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced four terrorists to death by hanging for their roles in the gruesome attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, an atrocity that shocked Nigeria and drew international condemnation.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, Justice Emeka Nwite found the defendants guilty of participating in the June 5, 2022 terrorist assault on worshippers gathered for Sunday Mass at the church.
The attack left dozens dead and scores injured in one of the deadliest assaults on a place of worship in Nigeria’s recent history.
Those convicted are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), and Abdulhaleem Idris (25). The four were among five suspects arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) on a nine-count charge bordering on terrorism, conspiracy, and related offences.
According to the prosecution, the convicts played active and coordinated roles in executing the deadly operation, which claimed the lives of approximately 40 worshippers and left more than 100 others suffering varying degrees of injuries.
The massacre, carried out during a Sunday church service, sent shockwaves across the country, triggering nationwide grief, outrage, and urgent calls for justice. Religious leaders, civil society groups, and members of the international community condemned the attack and demanded that those responsible be tracked down and prosecuted.
After an extensive review of the evidence and testimonies presented before the court, Justice Nwite held that the prosecution had successfully established the guilt of the four defendants beyond reasonable doubt. He subsequently sentenced each of them to death by hanging.
In contrast, the fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, 47, was discharged and acquitted after the court ruled that the evidence presented failed to sufficiently connect him to the terrorist attack.
The ruling represents a major breakthrough in the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families, nearly four years after the horrific incident that devastated the Owo community and the Catholic faithful.
Swiftly reacting to the judgment, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa praised the judiciary, security agencies, investigators, and prosecutors for securing the convictions.
The governor described the verdict as a triumph for justice, accountability, and the rule of law, emphasizing that it demonstrates the state’s determination to ensure that perpetrators of violent crimes are held responsible for their actions.
He commended the painstaking efforts of investigators and prosecutors, as well as the courage and independence of the judiciary, noting that the outcome sends a strong warning to criminals and terrorists across the country.
“The diligence of the prosecution team, the thoroughness of investigators, and the courage of the judiciary have shown that the government will not tolerate acts of terror or violence against its people. This judgment sends a clear message that those who take innocent lives will face the full weight of the law, regardless of how long it takes to bring them to justice,” the governor stated.
Aiyedatiwa also paid tribute to the resilience of the people of Owo and the Catholic community, who have continued to pursue peace and healing despite the trauma and pain caused by the attack.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening security architecture across the state through enhanced intelligence gathering, closer collaboration with security agencies, and improved protection of public spaces and vulnerable communities.
While acknowledging that no court judgment can restore the lives lost in the tragedy, the governor expressed hope that the convictions would offer some measure of comfort and closure to grieving families.
“Though nothing can bring back those we lost, this judgment provides hope that justice is attainable and that the sacrifices of the victims will never be forgotten,” he said.
The governor concluded by praying for the peaceful repose of the souls of those who died in the attack and for divine comfort and strength for the families and loved ones they left behind.
The June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church remains one of the darkest chapters in Nigeria’s recent history, but Wednesday’s judgment marks a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing fight against terrorism and impunity.
