Four sentenced to death for killing worshippers at Catholic church in Nigeria
Summary
A Nigerian court sentenced four men to death for attacking a Catholic church in Ondo state in 2022, killing 41 worshippers and injuring over 100 others. The men were also given 20-year prison sentences for being part of a terrorist group, while a fifth defendant was acquitted due to lack of evidence.Key Facts
- The attack happened at St Francis Catholic church in Owo during a Pentecost service in 2022.
- Forty-one people were killed and more than 100 injured in the shooting and bombing.
- Four men—Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, and Abdulhaleem Idris—were found guilty and sentenced to death.
- They also received 20-year sentences for belonging to a terrorist group.
- A fifth man, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, was acquitted for lack of evidence.
- The judge said the evidence was strong and witnesses saw the attackers.
- The death sentence requires the Nigerian president’s approval before it can be carried out.
- The accused claimed they were tortured while in custody and plan to appeal the verdict.
- Nigerian security challenges, including attacks on churches, have increased since the Owo attack.
- President Donald Trump criticized Nigeria for not protecting Christians and the US conducted airstrikes against jihadist camps in Nigeria.
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