Breaking: Court sentences four to death by hanging over Owo church attack

June 3, 2026

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri, ABUJA

The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced four members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group to death by hanging for their roles in the June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.

Those found guilty on a nine‑count terrorism charge the Department of State Services (DSS) filed on behalf of the Federal Government were Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), and Abdulhaleem Idris (25), while the 5th defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47), was discharged for want of evidence linking him to the attack.

Delivering judgment in the matter on Wednesday, trial Justice Emeka Nwite said he was satisfied that the prosecution proved its case against the four defendants beyond reasonable doubt.