In a landmark ruling delivered on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, a Nigerian federal court has sentenced four men to death by hanging for their roles in a devastating attack on a church in southwestern Ondo State. The attack, which occurred nearly four years ago, resulted in the deaths of at least 50 worshippers.
Justice Emeka Nwite handed down the verdict after convicting the four defendants on a series of terrorism-related charges. The charges included hostage-taking, kidnapping, terrorism financing, and the use of explosives that led to widespread death and injury.
The tragedy took place on June 5, 2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church in the town of Owo. It remains one of the deadliest assaults on a place of worship in Nigeria's recent history, with children among the victims and dozens more left injured.
The convicted individuals—Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, and Abdulhaleem Idris—were found guilty on a nine-count charge sheet. A fifth defendant was acquitted due to insufficient evidence. In addition to the death sentences, the court imposed life imprisonment for membership in a terrorist organization and 20-year terms for conspiracy offences.
Prosecutorial evidence suggested the group operated out of a militant cell in Kogi State, planning attacks across various parts of Nigeria. Court filings alleged the defendants joined al-Shabaab in 2021, plotting strikes against public schools and sites in central Nigeria. However, it is important to note that al-Shabaab has never claimed responsibility for the Owo attack, and its operational presence in Nigeria has not been independently verified.
Nigerian authorities had previously linked the massacre to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), though neither ISWAP nor Boko Haram ever publicly claimed the attack.
This ruling is being viewed as a critical test of Nigeria's judicial efforts to strengthen accountability and combat terrorism amid ongoing security challenges across the nation.
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Nigeria court sentences four men to death over 2022 church attack
cgtn.com
