The Department of State Services (DSS) has secured seven death sentences in Nigerian courts in 2026 in cases involving kidnapping, terrorism, murder and arms proliferation.
The latest conviction came on Thursday, October 22, when an Adamawa State High Court sentenced three men to death by hanging for kidnapping two Catholic priests in February 2025.
Here is a list of the seven death sentences recorded between May and October 2026.
1. Adamawa: Three men sentenced over kidnapping of Catholic priests
October 22, 2026
An Adamawa State High Court sentenced Taledo Demiel, Namomai Medan and Mikaila Yusuf to death for kidnapping Reverend Fathers Matthew Dutsemi and Abraham Sauman in Numan Local Government Area in February 2025.
Justice Christopher Mapeo convicted the trio on charges including kidnapping, armed robbery, criminal conspiracy and negotiating to receive ransom.
2. Sokoto: Man sentenced over killing of three kidnapped victims
September 28, 2026
A Sokoto State High Court sentenced Ibrahim Usman, also known as Dan Iyali, to death by hanging over his involvement in the killing of three kidnapped persons in the state.
3. Sokoto: Three men sentenced for terrorism, arms offences
June 22, 2026
A Sokoto State High Court sentenced Muhammed Yusuf Sallau, Jabbi Ahlaji Yale and Kabiru Muhammed to death by hanging for terrorism and arms proliferation.
4. Kogi: Man sentenced for kidnapping, murder
June 16, 2026
A Kogi State High Court sentenced Jibrin Halilu to death by hanging for kidnapping and murdering his neighbour in Obajana, an industrial town in the state.
5. Katsina: Female arms courier sentenced to death
June 15, 2026
A Katsina State High Court sentenced Hauwa’u Mukhtar, a female arms courier, to death by hanging.
6. Owo church massacre: Four men sentenced to death
June 3, 2026
A Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced four men to death by hanging over the June 2022 attack on St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, in which scores of worshippers were killed.
The convicts were Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Alqasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik and Abdulkareem Idris. They were convicted on charges including conspiracy and terrorism.
7. Ekiti: Two kidnappers sentenced to death
May 20, 2026
An Ekiti State High Court sentenced Ibrahim Abubakar and Abdullahi Abubakar to death by hanging for kidnapping.
The seven cases involve 16 convicted persons across Adamawa, Sokoto, Kogi, Katsina, Ekiti and the Federal High Court in Abuja. The sentences reflect convictions secured in cases involving serious violent crimes, including kidnapping, terrorism and murder.
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