BREAKING: Court Sentences Four Members Of Al-Shabaab Terrorist Group To Death Over Owo Church Massacre

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

The convicted individuals are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), and Abdulhaleem Idris (25).

They were found guilty on a nine-count terrorism charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the Federal Government.

Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Emeka Nwite held that the prosecution had successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing that the defendants were active members of a terrorist group and directly participated in the deadly attack.

The court, however, discharged a fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47), for lack of sufficient evidence linking him to the incident.

The June 5, 2022 attack, which occurred during a Pentecost service at St. Francis Catholic Church, resulted in the deaths of more than 40 worshippers and left over 100 others injured.

During proceedings, the court admitted key pieces of evidence including confessional statements and a digital forensic report. A mobile device allegedly used by the defendants was also presented, containing communications linked to activities before and after the attack.

Testimony from witnesses, including a Catholic priest who survived the assault, described how the attackers reportedly detonated explosives inside the church, causing widespread devastation.