Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: John. O
Court Sentences Nyanya Bomb Blast Convict to Death by Hanging, 12 Years After Abuja Terror Attack
Twelve years after one of Nigeria’s deadliest terrorist attacks shook the Federal Capital Territory, the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced 37-year-old Zakaria Garba to death by hanging for his role in the 2014 Nyanya Motor Park bomb explosion, which killed more than 70 people and left dozens injured.
The judgment, delivered by Justice James Omotosho on Friday, June 19, 2026, marked a major milestone in Nigeria’s long-running prosecution of terrorism-related offences. The ruling came during the just-concluded Abuja mass trial of suspected terrorists, a special judicial process aimed at accelerating the prosecution of terrorism cases across the country.
Zakaria Garba, originally from Jambutu Park, Jimeta Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was convicted after pleading guilty to a five-count terrorism charge filed by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice. The case, registered as FHC/KNJ/CR/985/2026, accused Garba of conspiracy, participation in terrorism, and direct involvement in the detonation of explosives at Nyanya Motor Park in Abuja.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho handed Garba varying sentences across the five counts. He sentenced the convict to 35 years imprisonment on counts one and two, life imprisonment on count three, and death by hanging on counts four and five. After pronouncing the sentence, the judge reportedly told the convict, “May God have mercy on you.”
Court documents revealed that Garba and several accomplices still at large conspired to carry out the attack sometime in 2014 at Nyanya Motor Park, a busy transport hub on the outskirts of Abuja. Prosecutors said the group deliberately planned and coordinated the bombing using explosive devices with the intent to cause mass casualties.
According to the charges, Garba knowingly participated in acts of terrorism that resulted in the deaths of over 70 persons and caused severe injuries to many others. The offences were prosecuted under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013, specifically provisions dealing with conspiracy to commit terrorism and direct involvement in terrorist acts.
The Nyanya bomb blast, which occurred on April 14, 2014, remains one of the darkest moments in Nigeria’s recent history. The explosion struck during the morning rush hour as commuters gathered at the crowded motor park to board buses into central Abuja. The blast tore through vehicles and waiting passengers, creating scenes of chaos and devastation.
Eyewitness accounts from the day described mangled vehicles, bodies scattered across the terminal, and survivors screaming for help amid thick smoke and fire. Emergency responders struggled to evacuate victims as hospitals across Abuja became overwhelmed with casualties.
Security analysts at the time linked the bombing to Boko Haram, the insurgent group responsible for a wave of bombings, abductions, and attacks across northern Nigeria during that period. The Nyanya bombing became symbolic of the growing terror threat facing Nigeria in the early 2010s.
In count three of the charge, which attracted life imprisonment, Garba and his co-conspirators were accused of planning and coordinating the bombing operation. Prosecutors argued that their actions demonstrated deliberate intent to inflict widespread death and terror on civilians.
Counts four and five, which attracted the death penalty, specifically addressed Garba’s direct participation in detonating explosive devices and engaging in acts of terrorism that caused the deaths of over 70 people. The court found the evidence sufficient, especially following the defendant’s guilty plea.
The court also heard portions of Garba’s confessional statement, in which he reportedly claimed he used to sell tea and bread before becoming involved in terrorist activities. Prosecutors argued that regardless of his background, his actions contributed directly to one of the deadliest terror incidents in Abuja’s history.
Garba was not the only suspect sentenced during the terrorism trials. Justice Omotosho also delivered judgments in several related terrorism cases involving other convicted suspects.
In case number FHC/KNJ/CR/1020/2026, Ali Mohammed received 25 years imprisonment on count one and 15 years imprisonment on count two for terrorism-related offences.
In another case, Isa Saleh was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment after conviction on a one-count terrorism charge registered as FHC/KNJ/CR/973/2026.
Similarly, Tujan Mohammed, in charge FHC/KNJ/CR/954/2026, was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.
For Salisu Bala, the court convicted him on count two and sentenced him to 20 years imprisonment, but discharged and acquitted him on counts one and three in case FHC/KNJ/CR/963/2026.
The mass trial, which is typically conducted in Kainji, was moved to Abuja to facilitate the judicial process and improve access for prosecutors and court personnel handling multiple terrorism cases.
Leading the prosecution team was Lateef Fagbemi, Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice. Fagbemi reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to eliminate terrorism and ensure justice for victims of violent extremism.
He stated that the government remains committed to making Nigeria safe and would continue to pursue all individuals involved in terrorism financing, planning, and execution. According to him, the successful prosecution demonstrates that terrorism cases, no matter how long they take, will eventually reach judicial conclusion.
The sentencing of Zakaria Garba brings a measure of closure to families who have waited more than a decade for justice. For survivors of the Nyanya blast, however, the psychological and physical scars remain profound. Many victims suffered permanent injuries, while relatives of the deceased continue to live with painful memories of that tragic morning.
The judgment also sends a strong signal about Nigeria’s anti-terrorism framework. As the country continues battling insurgency, banditry, and extremist violence, legal accountability remains a crucial pillar in national security efforts.
Twelve years after the devastating explosion, the court’s verdict serves as both justice for victims and a reminder of the lasting consequences of terrorism on communities, families, and the nation.
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