Four Al-Shabaab members sentenced to death for 2022 Owo church attack
via Punch Nigeria4 min read
Four members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group have been sentenced to death by hanging by the Federal High Court in Abuja for their involvement in the June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State. The attack resulted in over 40 deaths and more than 100 injuries. Justice Emeka Nwite convicted Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, and Abdulhaleem Idris on a nine-count terrorism charge. However, the court discharged and acquitted Momoh Abubakar due to insufficient evidence. Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, expressed satisfaction with the judgment, stating that justice had been served. The Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Jude Arogundade, also commended the judgment but noted that the scar from the incident remains with the church. Justice Nwite ruled that the prosecution successfully established the guilt of the four convicts, who were identified as principal members of an Al-Shabaab cell operating in Kogi State and active participants in the church assault. The prosecution presented 11 witnesses and 23 exhibits, including confessional statements and a digital forensic examination report, to prove its case. Governor Aiyedatiwa praised the judiciary and security agencies, calling the verdict a "victory for justice, the rule of law, and for all victims." Oba Ogunoye urged further investigation into anyone else involved in the massacre. Bishop Arogundade reflected on the lasting impact o
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Former Super Eagles and Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi believes Stanley Nwabali's return to South African club Chippa United could lead to his recall to the national team. Akpeyi stated that Nwabali's absence from the Super Eagles squad was primarily due to a lack of regular club football, not a decline in ability. Nwabali was Nigeria's first-choice goalkeeper at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, helping the team reach the final, and remained number one through the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. However, he has not played for the national team since leaving Chippa United by mutual consent in February, missing recent campaigns and friendlies. Akpeyi emphasized Nwabali's proven quality for Nigeria, stating, "He has been excellent, absolutely excellent. Faultless for Nigeria. He has taken them to places." Akpeyi explained that being unattached to a team makes national team invitations difficult. He added that Nwabali's decision to return to Chippa United, where he began his career, offers him the best chance to regain form and earn the trust of the coaches. Nwabali aims to establish himself at Chippa United as the 2026/27 South African Premiership season starts on August 1, with an eye on Nigeria's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign beginning in September.
Stand-up comedian and actor, Senator, stated that the Nigerian comedy industry has created numerous opportunities for practitioners, encouraging entertainers to explore various creative areas. In an interview, Senator noted the industry's evolution beyond traditional stand-up comedy, with the rise of skits, sitcoms, and event hosting. He explained that while stand-up was once the primary focus, the emergence of social media skits, series, and sitcoms, along with the demand for humorous MCs and comp猫res for events, has broadened the scope. Senator highlighted that these changing industry demands have led many comedians, including himself, to diversify their skills while retaining their passion for comedy. He described the entertainment sector as rich with possibilities, particularly for new talents seeking sustainable careers. Despite this growth, Senator acknowledged that the industry's expansion has not been as rapid as some anticipated.
Must ReadFuel prices have increased nationwide in Nigeria, with petrol reaching up to N1,230 per litre in some areas. This rise is attributed to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery's decision to sell petrol to marketers in dollars and a surge in global crude oil prices due to tensions between the United States and Iran. The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria PETROAN has warned against monopoly and arbitrary pricing, stating that such practices could destabilize the downstream petroleum sector. Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, National President of PETROAN, emphasized the need for a stable and competitive pricing framework. Marketers have reported delays in petrol loading at the Dangote refinery, a claim denied by the Dangote Group. The National Vice-President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Hammed Fashola, confirmed the loading delays but expressed optimism for resumption. Marketers are also facing difficulties in sourcing dollars to purchase petrol from the refinery. Depot prices for petrol remained high, ranging from N1,185 to N1,245 per litre across major depots. Retail pump prices in cities like Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kaduna have also seen increases, with some stations selling at N1,200 to N1,230 per litre. Consumers and transporters express concerns that dollar-denominated pricing could lead to further price hikes and increased costs for transportation and goods.