Twelve people have been sentenced to death by hanging after being convicted in terrorism, kidnapping and other security-related cases prosecuted by the Department of State Security (DSS).

According to court documents reviewed, the convictions were handed down by federal and state high courts across Nigeria between May and June 2026. Other defendants received prison sentences ranging from two years to life imprisonment.

Among those sentenced to death were four men convicted over the June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State. On June 3, the Federal High Court sentenced Idris Omeiza, Alqasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik and Abdulhaleem Idris to death by hanging after finding them guilty of terrorism, membership of a terrorist group and conspiracy.

Others sentenced to death include Ibrahim Abubakar and Abdullahi Abubakar, who were convicted by the Ekiti State High Court of conspiracy to murder, murder and kidnapping.

The Kogi State High Court sentenced Jibrin Halilu to death after convicting him of conspiracy to kidnap and kidnapping, which led to the killing of Andrew Offo.

In Katsina State, Hauwa’u Mukhtar was sentenced to death for conspiracy and for aiding terrorism by supplying ammunition to a bandit leader.

The Sokoto State High Court also handed death sentences to Yusuf Muhammad (aka Salau), Jabbi Alhaji Yalle and Kabiru A. Maradun after convicting them of “criminal conspiracy, terrorism, arms trafficking and proliferation.”

The DSS said the cases involved offences including terrorism, membership of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as well as supporting terrorist organisations, gun running, concealing information and terrorism financing.

The report also stated that Abdullahi Mohammed Mustapha was sentenced to death during the mass terrorism trials held between June 15 and 18 after being convicted on terrorism charges.

Several other defendants were convicted of belonging to Boko Haram or ISWAP, while others were found guilty of providing material support to terrorist groups, participating in terrorist activities, gun running or concealing information.

Tension has engulfed Dutsen-Kura Gwari and Fadikpe communities in Minna, Niger State, after a violent clash between rival youth groups ended with one person dead and two others hospitalised.

Residents said the confrontation, which occurred late Sunday night, was the latest in a series of recurring clashes that have unsettled the neighbouring communities for months, with armed youths allegedly engaging in street fights, intimidation and other criminal activities.

A resident, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals, told DAILY POST that the disturbance which started on Thursday became so intense on Sunday that members of the community alerted the police.

According to the resident, officers arrived at the scene to restore order, but in the ensuing confusion, one of the youths was allegedly struck by police gunfire. Two others also sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment in hospital.

“The fighting was getting out of hand and everyone was running for safety. We called the police to save the situation. When they came, there were gunshots, and one of the boys fell. Two others were injured and have been taken to the hospital,” the resident said.

However, the Niger State Police Command maintained that its operatives came under attack after responding to the distress call.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the command received a distress call at about 11:30 p.m. on June 28, reporting that suspected miscreants were engaged in a violent clash around Dutsen-Kura Gwari and Fadikpe.

He said operatives attached to the GRA Division were immediately deployed to the area.

According to him, as the officers advanced to the scene, the hoodlums opened fire on the police, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

Abiodun said one suspect, identified as Mohammed Mohammed of Dutsen-Kura, was fatally shot during the exchange, while two others sustained gunshot injuries.

“As officers advanced to the scene, the miscreants fired gunshots at the police, leading to an exchange of gunfire. One Mohammed Mohammed of Dutsen-Kura was taken down, two others were injured, and two locally made guns were recovered from the scene,” he said.

The Niger police spokesman added that another suspect, Ismail Shehu, suffered machete cuts.

He further disclosed that two locally fabricated firearms were recovered from the scene.

Abiodun added that efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the gang who fled.

Residents, however, expressed concern over the recurring violence in the area, saying repeated clashes between rival youth groups have continued to threaten lives and property.

They called on security agencies and community leaders to adopt lasting measures to address youth violence before more lives are lost.

Operatives of the Yobe State Police Command have arrested eight suspected members of a notorious theft syndicate and stolen goods recovered in a major operation following a rise in shop breaking, shoplifting and theft across Damaturu metropolis.

The Police Command disclosed this on Wednesday in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim.

According to the statement, the operation was carried out on Monday by the operative of ‘A’ Division Damaturu in collaboration with vigilante members, following credible intelligence on criminal activities in the affected areas.

“Following recent reports of shop breaking, theft and criminal activities within Abbari, Nasarawa and Gwange areas of Damaturu metropolis, the Command carried out a coordinated operation,” the statement noted.

Those arrested are: Abdullahi Musa, 18, of Abbari; Khalifa Mohammed, 20, of Gwange; Alhassan Ali, 21, of Nayinawa; Ibrahim Shehu, 21, of Abbari; Ali Mohammed, 22, of Abbari; Abba Shetima, 21, of Pompomari; Boniface Cosmos, 25, of Jerusalem; and Sakinat Usman, 46, of Nasarawa.

The Command said preliminary investigation linked the group to a series of burglary, shoplifting and theft incidents in the areas and that the suspects have confessed to the crimes and are currently assisting the police in the ongoing investigation.

Items recovered include: two five-litre gallons of Kings vegetable oil, forty packs of Indomie noodles, one hundred and thirty-two sachets of Peak powdered milk and three Android mobile phones.

Police added that efforts are ongoing to recover more stolen items and arrest other fleeing accomplices for prosecution.

The Command also urged business owners and residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities promptly.