DSS Secures Landmark Terrorism Convictions; 12 Sentenced to Death, Dozens Jailed

Twelve convicted terrorists and kidnappers have been sentenced to death by hanging in separate judgments delivered by federal and state courts across Nigeria, following prosecutions by the Department of State Services (DSS), while dozens of other defendants received prison terms ranging from two years to life imprisonment.

Court records reviewed by newsmen show the convictions were handed down by federal and state high courts in cases involving terrorism, murder, kidnapping, arms trafficking, terrorism financing and membership of outlawed groups, including Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Among the most prominent judgments was the conviction of Idris Omeiza, Alqasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik and Abdulhaleem Idris, who were sentenced to death by hanging by the Federal High Court on June 3, 2026 for their roles in the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

The attack claimed the lives of more than 40 worshippers and left over 100 others injured. The defendants were convicted on charges including terrorism, conspiracy and membership of a terrorist organisation.

Death Sentences Across States

Aside from the Owo church attack case, courts across the country also imposed death sentences on several other defendants.

In Ekiti State, Ibrahim Abubakar and Abdullahi Abubakar were sentenced to death after being convicted of conspiracy to murder, murder and kidnapping in connection with the abduction and killing of Taiwo Adesina in 2022.

In Kogi State, Jibrin Halilu received the death penalty after being found guilty of kidnapping and killing hotel owner Andrew Offo despite collecting a ₦2.5 million ransom.

In Katsina State, Hauwa'u Mukhtar was sentenced to death after prosecutors established that she supplied 438 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition to a suspected bandit leader for terrorist operations.

Similarly, the Sokoto State High Court sentenced Yusuf Muhammad (alias Salau), Jabbi Alhaji Yalle and Kabiru A. Maradun to death after convicting them of criminal conspiracy, terrorism, arms trafficking and proliferation involving prohibited firearms allegedly supplied to armed groups operating across Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi and Katsina states.

Court records also indicate that Abdullahi Mohammed Mustapha received a death sentence during the June 15-18 terrorism trials after his conviction on terrorism charges.

Dozens Receive Lengthy Prison Terms

Beyond the death sentences, many other defendants received lengthy prison terms after being convicted of terrorism-related offences.

The longest custodial sentence was imposed on Inuwa Bala, who was sentenced to 50 years imprisonment for gun running.

Saleh Idris received 45 years for membership of Boko Haram, while Rabiu Umar and Ndukwe Iroha Kalu were each sentenced to 40 years for rendering support to terrorists and membership of IPOB respectively.

Other notable convictions include:

Shamsudeen Ibrahim – 35 years for supporting terrorists.

Yusuf Sani – 30 years for terrorism.

Suleiman Halilu – 25 years for rendering support to terrorists.

Usman Musa Yaman – 25 years for concealment and support for terrorists.

Ridwan Onasoga Abiodun – 25 years for ISWAP membership.

Several other defendants received prison terms ranging from five to 20 years for offences including terrorism, concealment of terrorist activities, aiding terrorism and membership of outlawed groups.

Court documents show that while some sentences commenced from the dates of arrest, others are to run concurrently where defendants were convicted on multiple counts.

IPOB-Related Convictions

Court records also show several convictions involving alleged IPOB members and supporters. Among them, Onyedikachi Michael Abel Ugwuoke was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on multiple counts, alongside a life sentence on additional charges linked to the group.

Other convicted individuals include Ndukwe Iroha Kalu, who received a 40-year sentence and Ferdinand Uchenna Edeh, who was sentenced to 20 years. Furthermore, Godwin Ejiofor Okolo received 10 years, while Esther Egbom was sentenced to five years in prison for rendering support to IPOB members.

Two additional defendants were convicted over offences relating to the concealment of information concerning the sale of ammonium nitrate.

DSS Reviews Wrongful Detention Cases

Alongside the prosecutions, the DSS said it has continued reviewing inherited detention cases to identify individuals who were wrongfully detained.

Among those released was Nura Idris, a Kaduna herder who spent about two years in detention over alleged Boko Haram links before investigations cleared him. He was released and paid ₦3 million in compensation.

Earlier, Sunday Ifedi regained his freedom after investigators found no evidence linking him to IPOB. He received ₦10 million in compensation, while the DSS also pledged to rebuild a restaurant owned by his late wife.

According to the service, more than 30 inherited detention cases have so far been reviewed, with over ₦300 million paid in compensation to individuals found to have been wrongfully detained.

Government Intensifies Terrorism Prosecutions

The latest convictions come as the Federal Government continues a broader push to prosecute terrorism-related offences through coordinated mass trials.

On June 15, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, led another round of terrorism prosecutions at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where more than 600 terrorism suspects were arraigned on charges including terrorism, membership of proscribed organisations, terrorism financing and failure to disclose terrorist activities.

The proceedings followed an earlier phase of mass trials conducted in April, during which official figures showed 386 defendants were convicted, while two were acquitted and eight discharged.

The latest judgments underscore the government's ongoing efforts to prosecute terrorism, kidnapping, illegal arms trafficking and other national security offences through coordinated judicial processes.