Four Al-Shabaab Members Get Death Sentences for 2022 Owo Church Attack

ABUJA — A Federal High Court has sentenced four men linked to the Al-Shabaab terrorist organisation to death for their role in the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State. YNaija confirmed the verdicts on Wednesday. The attack killed at least 40 worshippers who had gathered for Pentecost service.

Justice Emeka Nwite convicted the four defendants on terrorism-related charges including terrorism financing, conspiracy, kidnapping, hostage-taking, and the use of explosives. He also imposed life imprisonment sentences for terrorism membership on related counts. A fifth defendant was discharged and acquitted after the court found insufficient evidence to sustain the charges against him.

Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Olowo of Owo Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye both commended the judiciary for delivering justice in a case that traumatised their community. They described the verdict as a milestone and said it sends a clear message that Nigeria will not allow acts of religious terrorism to go unpunished.

Justice Four Years Later

The Owo church attack was one of the most devastating acts of religious violence in Nigeria in recent memory. Armed men entered the church during the Pentecost service, detonated explosives, and opened fire on worshippers. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State West Africa Province.

The conviction of four perpetrators, four years after the attack, reflects both the persistence of Nigerian prosecutors and the challenges of investigating complex terrorism cases. Several victims’ families said the verdict brings some measure of closure. However, they noted that questions remain about whether all those responsible have been identified and charged.

The Catholic Church in Nigeria welcomed the death sentences. A statement from the Catholic Secretariat said justice has been served, albeit slowly. It called on the government to ensure that the execution of the sentences follows due process and that no further attacks on places of worship go uninvestigated.