By Kingston Magare 3.6.2026
Four out of the five suspects standing trial for the terror attack on St Francis Catholic Church Owo in Ondo State have been sentenced to death by hanging.
Forty-three worshipers were killed when the terror gang invaded the Church on June 5, 2022, sparking a national outrage.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja and presided by Justice Emeka Nwite found the suspects guilty and pronounced the death sentence. Those convicted and sentenced include Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, 25, Al Qasim Idris,20, Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26, and Abdulhaleem Idris, 25, while Momoh Otuho Abubakar was discharged and acquitted.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had brought the case against the suspects to face a In the nine-count terrorism charge. They were accused of belonging to a foreign terrorist organisation Al-Shabaab and operating in Kogi State.
Justice Nwite in his judgement said the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt, and evidence clearly shows the suspects planned the attack on the church.
According to the prosecution, the attackers stormed the church, held worshippers hostage, and unleashed violence that resulted in massive casualties and destruction, using IEDs and automatic rifles.
