A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced four individuals to death by hanging for their role in the deadly attack on Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.

The attack, which occurred on June 5, 2022, claimed over 40 lives and left more than 100 others injured. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday, bringing a measure of justice to the victims’ families.

The four convicts sentenced to death are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, 25; Al Qasim Idris, 20; Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26; and Abdulhaleem Idris, 25. A fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, 47, was discharged and acquitted after the court found insufficient evidence linking him to the attack. Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the case, ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt against the four men.

According to the prosecution, the convicts were principal members of an Al-Shabaab terrorist cell operating in Kogi State. They reportedly joined the group in 2021, attended planning meetings in Kogi and Ondo States, and then carried out the assault on the church during a Pentecost Sunday service. The attackers used improvised explosive devices and AK-47 rifles, holding worshippers hostage as they unleashed violence.

The verdict has been welcomed by many Nigerians who have long awaited justice for the victims. Relatives of those who lost their lives expressed relief that the court had taken a firm stance.

Human rights groups and religious bodies also praised the judgment as a strong deterrent against future attacks on places of worship. The Owo attack remains one of the deadliest assaults on a religious gathering in Nigeria’s recent history.

While the death sentence has been handed down, legal experts note that the convicts still have the right to appeal the ruling. For now, however, the judgment stands as a significant moment in Nigeria’s fight against terror and violence targeting innocent civilians.

The Owo community can finally see some closure after four years of pain and waiting.