Skip to main content
See every side of every news story
Published loading...Updated

Tight Security as Abuja Court Set to Deliver Judgment in Owo Catholic Church Terror Attack

Prosecutors said the men belonged to an al-Shabab cell and used IEDs and rifles in an attack that killed more than 40 worshippers.

  • On Wednesday, Judge Emeka Nwite began delivering judgment at the Federal High Court in Abuja for five men accused of the June 5, 2022 terror attack on Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.
  • Gunmen stormed the church during Pentecost Mass on June 5, 2022, armed with IEDs and AK-47 rifles, killing over 40 worshippers and injuring over 100 others, the DSS alleged in nine-count terrorism charges.
  • The five defendants—Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar—denied complicity; prosecution lawyer Ayodeji Adedipe urged the court to impose the death penalty.
  • Eleven prosecution witnesses testified during trial, while defense lawyer Abdullahi Mohammad requested acquittal, arguing the prosecution failed to prove its case against his clients.
  • Observers view the massacre, occurring amid worsening national insecurity, as a sign of terrorist activities spreading from the North into the South-west region, reflecting the gravity of the charges.
Insights by Ground AI

54 Articles

abc Newsabc News
+7 Reposted by 7 other sources
Lean Left

Nigerian court sentences four men to death over 2022 Catholic church attack

A federal court in Nigeria has sentenced four gunmen to death for a 2022 attack on a church that killed at least 50 people

·United States
Read Full Article
Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 44% of the sources lean Left, 44% of the sources are Center
44% Center

Factuality Info Icon

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

Info Icon

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

Sahara Reporters broke the news in New York, United States on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
Too Big Arrow Icon
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

News
Feed Dots Icon
For You
Search Icon
Search
Blindspot LogoBlindspotLocal