Four Sentenced to Death Over Owo Church Attack

A Nigerian court has sentenced four men to death over the 2022 attack on St Francis Catholic Church in Owo that killed at least 41 worshippers and injured dozens more. The ruling marks one of the most significant terrorism-related convictions in Nigeria in recent years and is likely to be closely watched across West Africa.

ABUJA, Nigeria — A Nigerian court has sentenced four men to death over the 2022 attack on St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, one of the deadliest assaults on a place of worship in the country’s recent history.

The Federal High Court in Abuja handed down the sentences on Wednesday after finding the defendants guilty on multiple terrorism-related charges linked to the attack, which killed at least 41 worshippers and injured more than 100 others during a Pentecost service on 5 June 2022.

The ruling is being closely watched as a major test of Nigeria‘s ability to investigate and prosecute large-scale terrorist attacks amid continuing security challenges across parts of the country. Justice Emeka Nwite convicted Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik and Abdulhaleem Idris on a nine-count charge that included terrorism, hostage-taking, kidnapping, terrorism financing and the use of explosives that caused death and injury.

A fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, was acquitted and discharged after the court found insufficient evidence to support the charges against him.

One of Nigeria’s Deadliest Church Attacks

The attack on St Francis Catholic Church shocked Nigeria and drew international condemnation. Gunmen opened fire on worshippers gathered for Sunday Mass before explosive devices were detonated inside the church compound, according to evidence presented during the trial. The attack killed at least 41 people and left scores of others injured.

The massacre triggered national mourning and renewed concerns about insecurity in Africa’s most populous nation. During the proceedings, the court heard testimony from survivors, including a woman who lost both legs and an eye after an explosive device detonated during the attack. The evidence offered a stark reminder of the lasting human cost of the violence.

At the time of the attack, Nigerian authorities blamed militants linked to extremist groups operating in the country. Reuters reported that authorities initially pointed to the Islamic State West Africa Province, while court filings later alleged that the convicted men had links to the Somali-based militant group al-Shabaab. Al-Shabaab has not claimed responsibility for the attack, and its operational presence in Nigeria remains unverified.

Court Delivers Landmark Verdict

According to court findings, prosecutors presented witnesses, forensic evidence and investigative material linking the defendants to the attack. Justice Nwite ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and found the four defendants guilty on all counts.

In addition to the death sentences, the court imposed life imprisonment terms for membership of a terrorist organisation and additional prison sentences on other counts. Defence lawyers said they would appeal the judgement.

Under Nigerian law, death sentences remain subject to further legal review and approval procedures before they can be carried out. Nigeria has not conducted executions for several years despite retaining capital punishment in its legal system.

Reactions From Ondo State

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa welcomed the verdict, describing it as a victory for justice and for the victims of the attack. In a statement issued through his office, the governor praised investigators, prosecutors and the judiciary for securing the convictions and said the ruling demonstrated that acts of terror and violence would not go unpunished.

Aiyedatiwa also paid tribute to survivors and members of the Owo community, many of whom continue to live with the trauma of the attack nearly four years later.

He said the judgement offered a measure of closure to affected families while acknowledging that no court ruling could fully compensate for the lives lost.

Why the Verdict Matters Across West Africa

The significance of the case extends beyond Nigeria. Governments across West Africa continue to confront terrorism, violent extremism and attacks on civilians. Security cooperation remains a major priority for member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), including Ghana and Nigeria.

The verdict is therefore likely to be watched closely across the region as countries seek more effective ways to investigate, prosecute and deter terrorism-related offences. For victims’ families, however, the significance is more personal.

After four years of investigations, court hearings and legal proceedings, the judgement provides a measure of accountability for one of the most traumatic attacks in Nigeria’s recent history.

What Happens Next?

The convicted men are expected to challenge the ruling through Nigeria’s appeals process. Legal proceedings could continue for months or years before the case reaches its final conclusion.

Legal analysts say the case could become an important reference point for future terrorism prosecutions in Nigeria, particularly those involving mass-casualty attacks against civilians. Meanwhile, security concerns remain a major issue across parts of Nigeria, where attacks by armed groups continue to test the capacity of authorities to protect communities and deliver justice for victims.

The Owo church massacre remains a painful chapter in Nigeria’s recent history. Wednesday’s verdict cannot undo the loss suffered by victims and their families, but it represents one of the most consequential legal responses to a terrorist attack in Nigeria in recent years and a significant moment in the country’s pursuit of accountability.