Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has commended the judgment of the Federal High Court which sentenced four terrorists to death over the 2022 attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo.
The governor praised the judiciary and prosecution team for what he described as their courage and diligence throughout the trial of the suspects linked to the deadly incident.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, Aiyedatiwa said the ruling demonstrates that government will not tolerate acts of terrorism or violence against innocent citizens.
The attack, which occurred on June 5, 2022, left no fewer than 40 worshippers dead and several others injured when armed men opened fire during a church service at St Francis Catholic Church in Owo.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, June 3, sentenced four out of five defendants to death by hanging after finding them guilty on a nine-count terrorism charge.
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“The Governor described the court verdict as a victory for justice, the rule of law, and for all victims of the heinous attack that claimed the lives of innocent worshippers and left many others injured,” the statement read.
According to the statement, “Ondo State Governor, His Excellency, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has commended the Judiciary and security agencies for securing the conviction and death sentence of the four suspects responsible for the June 5, 2022, terror attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo.”
Aiyedatiwa stressed that the judgment reinforces public confidence in the justice system and serves as a warning to perpetrators of violent crimes.
He maintained that the state government stands firmly with victims and families affected by the tragedy, adding that justice has been served, even though the pain of the incident remains deeply felt.
The governor reiterated that his administration will continue to support efforts aimed at strengthening security across Ondo State and ensuring such attacks never occur again.