Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested the sixth person involved in the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo state, in which over 40 worshippers lost their lives and scores more were left injured.
The suspect, identified as Sani Yusuf, is described as a high-profile commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
After evading capture for nearly four years, he was apprehended in a village in Edo State, where he had reportedly been hiding after a brief stay in Kano.
His arrest followed years of intelligence-led surveillance and manhunt by security agencies.
According to security sources, Yusuf confessed to planning and executing the Owo massacre, which claimed over 40 lives.
He also admitted involvement in the July 2022 Suleja military barracks attack and the Zuma Rock checkpoint assault that killed five soldiers
“He admitted his role in the Owo church attack, the Zuma Rock checkpoint assault, which claimed the lives of five soldiers, and several ISWAP kidnap operations,” the source disclosed.
“Yusuf also disclosed that he served under other ISWAP top commanders like Abu Ikirimah, who was arrested by the DSS in 2024,” another source offered.
“This arrest marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the Owo church attack, the soldiers killed at Zuma Rock checkpoint in Suleja, and underscores the relentless campaign by the DSS in the fight against terrorism,” he declared.
It is on record that the DSS is currently prosecuting five persons—Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47)—for allegedly carrying out acts of terrorism.
Zagazola
