The Operatives of the Department of State Services have arrested a 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 say the suspect, identified as Sani Yusuf, was apprehended in Iguosa community along Powerline in Ovia North Local Government Area of Edo State, after allegedly evading arrest for nearly four years.
The DSS is currently prosecuting five other suspects — 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.
According to a source, Yusuf is believed to be a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province, also known as ISWAP. He reportedly fled to Kano shortly after the Owo attack before relocating to Edo State.
He is said to have confessed to involvement in the planning and execution of the church attack, as well as other incidents, including the July 2022 Suleja military barracks attack, the Zuma Rock checkpoint assault, and several kidnapping operations in Kaduna State.
”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.
