DSS Secures Seventh Death Sentence as Court Convicts Three for Kidnapping Catholic Priests

An Adamawa State High Court has sentenced three men to death for the February 2025 kidnapping of two Catholic priests, marking the seventh death sentence reportedly secured by the Department of State Services (DSS) in 2026.

Justice Christopher Mapeo delivered the judgment on Thursday against Taledo Demiel, Namomai Medan and Mikaila Yusuf.

The court found them guilty of criminal conspiracy to commit kidnapping, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed robbery, harbouring kidnapped persons and negotiating to receive ransom.

The case centred on the abduction of Reverend Fathers Matthew Dutsemi and Abraham Sauman.

This latest ruling forms part of a series of capital convictions handed down across Nigerian courts this year in cases involving kidnapping, terrorism, armed violence and the killing of civilians.

Earlier in 2026:On May 20, an Ekiti State High Court sentenced Ibrahim Abubakar and Abdullahi Abubakar to death by hanging for kidnapping.

On June 3, a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced four men — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Alqasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik and Abdulkareem Idris — to death by hanging for their roles in the June 2022 attack on worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.

On June 15, a Katsina State High Court sentenced female arms courier Hauwa’u Mukhtar to death by hanging.

On June 16, a Kogi State High Court sentenced Jibrin Halilu to death by hanging for kidnapping and murdering his neighbour in Obajana.

On June 22, a Sokoto State High Court sentenced Muhammed Yusuf Sallau, Jabbi Ahlaji Yale and Kabiru Muhammed to death by hanging for terrorism and transporting arms.

On September 28, a Sokoto State High Court sentenced Ibrahim Usman (also known as Dan Iyali) to death by hanging over the killing of three kidnapped persons.

The Adamawa judgment represents another step in the prosecution of violent crimes, especially kidnapping for ransom, which continues to endanger communities, religious institutions and public safety in parts of Nigeria.

The convictions also highlight the contribution of intelligence and law-enforcement agencies in supporting the prosecution of suspects charged with serious security offences.

The sentences remain subject to the normal legal processes, including any available appeals and the constitutional requirements that govern the carrying out of death sentences in Nigeria.