Owo verdict and the rising tide of terror in Nigeria's South-West

Four men were sentenced to death on June 3, 2026, for their involvement in the St. Francis Catholic Church massacre in Owo, an attack linked to Al-Shabaab, an international terror network. This verdict highlights the escalating security challenges in Nigeria's South-West, which has seen a rise in banditry and kidnappings. The article notes that the region, once battling local criminal elements, is now a theater for global terror franchises. The 2022 Owo church attack resulted in the deaths of 41 worshippers, leaving a lasting impact on survivors and the community. The author points out that Nigeria has faced a growing existential threat since 2009, with Boko Haram's influence spreading and northern bandits establishing routes through the Kwara corridor into the Middle Belt and South-West. Recent events in Ogbomoso, including the abduction of 46 students and teachers and the beheading of mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun, further illustrate this crisis. The Ogbomoso bandits' demands have shifted from financial to political, including a N1 billion ransom, the release of high-profile terrorists, and amendments to Oyo State laws, which the author describes as "legislative kidnapping." The article criticizes the government's response, citing a lack of control over the narrative and the use of advanced technology by criminals to evade surveillance. It also highlights internal issues, such as a local government vice-chairman allegedly staging her own kidnapping and students facil