Justice in Owo: Four Terrorists Sentenced to Death for Church Massacre

A federal high court in Abuja has condemned four men to death by hanging for the brutal attack on Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, that left over 40 worshippers dead and many more injured. Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the verdict on Wednesday, convicting the quartet on all nine counts filed by the Federal Government. The condemned are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, 25; Al Qasim Idris, 20; Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26; and Abdulhaleem Idris, 25. In a twist, the court discharged and acquitted the fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, 47, after prosecutors failed to prove their case against him. The attack, which occurred on June 5, 2022, was carried out by militants linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), shattering the peace of a Sunday morning service and sending shockwaves through the nation. This ruling marks a significant step in delivering justice for the victims and their families, though the scars of that day remain deep.