Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested the sixth suspect linked to the 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, where over 40 worshippers were killed and several others injured.
Security sources disclosed that the suspect, identified as Sani Yusuf, was apprehended in Iguosa community along Powerline area in Ovia North Local Government Area of Edo State, after evading arrest for nearly four years.
According to the source, Yusuf, described as a high-profile commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), allegedly fled to Kano shortly after the Owo church attack before relocating to Edo State, where he reportedly went into hiding.
The DSS is already prosecuting five other suspects — Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) — over their alleged roles in acts of terrorism connected to the Owo massacre.
Sources further revealed that Yusuf allegedly confessed to participating in the planning and execution of the church attack. He was also said to have admitted involvement in other terror operations, including the July 2022 Suleja military barracks attack and kidnappings in Kaduna State and surrounding areas.
“He admitted his role in the Owo church attack, the Zuma Rock checkpoint assault that claimed the lives of five soldiers, and several ISWAP kidnap operations,” a security source stated.
Yusuf was also reported to have disclosed that he operated under senior ISWAP commanders, including Abu Ikirimah, who was arrested by the DSS in 2024.
Security analysts say the arrest marks a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to bring all perpetrators of the Owo church massacre and related attacks to justice.
The DSS has continued to intensify its counter-terrorism operations nationwide as part of efforts to dismantle insurgent networks and enhance national security.
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