Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State and the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, have highly commended the judiciary following the death sentence handed down to four terrorists responsible for the June 5, 2022, massacre at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday sentenced four of the five defendants to death by hanging after finding them guilty on a nine-count terrorism charge.
The convicts, identified as members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group, carried out a brutal mass shooting and bomb attack that left at least 41 worshippers dead and over 140 others injured during a Sunday Mass.
Reacting to the judgement, Governor Aiyedatiwa hailed the verdict as a victory for justice and a relief to the families of the victims.
The governor’s reaction was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan.
He said the diligence of prosecutors, investigators and the judiciary demonstrated that the state would not tolerate acts of terrorism or violence against its citizens.
“This judgment sends a clear message that those who take innocent lives will face the full weight of the law, no matter how long it takes,” Adeniyan said.
Aiyedatiwa also praised the resilience of the Owo community and members of the Catholic faithful, noting that they had remained committed to peace despite the trauma of the attack.
He said his administration would continue to collaborate with security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering and improve protection of public spaces to prevent a recurrence.
While noting that the judgment cannot bring back the lives lost, the governor said it offers a measure of closure and justice for victims and their families.
Similarly, the Olowo of Owo said the conviction brought relief to the community and Nigerians at large, describing it as “justice served.”
Oba Ogunoye commended the Federal Government, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the judiciary for the successful prosecution of the case.
He, however, urged authorities to ensure that all other individuals connected to the attack are identified and brought to justice.
The monarch said it was unlikely that only the convicted persons acted alone, stressing the need for further investigations to uncover accomplices.
He also noted that the judgment had restored calm in the community, adding that normal activities had continued without disruption.
Oba Ogunoye further urged governors to fully exercise their constitutional responsibilities by signing death warrants where applicable, saying failure to do so undermines justice and imposes additional costs on the state.
He cited past instances where executions were carried out in line with the law, insisting that justice must be fully enforced once courts have reached a final decision.
The monarch maintained that doing so would strengthen deterrence and help reduce violent crime across the country.
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