Army arrest additional 2 ISWAP members involved in Owo Church Attack – DHQ  

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has disclosed the arrest of two additional members of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorist group involved in the attack and killing of worshippers at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, on June 5. The arrest was effected at Omialafara (Omulafa), Ose Local Government Area, Ondo State.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, had at an interaction with media executives and editors on Tuesday, revealed that four of the terrorists linked to the killing of worshipers at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owo on June 5 have been arrested.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, also  confirmed the arrest, adding that others were on the trail.

The Director of Defence Information of the DHQ, Jimmy Akpor, In a statement on Wednesday, disclosed the arrest of two more ISWAP fighters linked to the Owo Church killing in June.

The Director of Defence Information in the statement  highlighted: “Recall that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, during his parley with media executives and editors yesterday, Tuesday 9 August 2022, informed of the arrest of 4 terrorists among those who carried out the attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo on 5 June 2022.

“They were arrested through a combined operation by military and DSS personnel at Eika, Okehi LGA, Kogi State on 1 August 2022.

“Those arrested include Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (a.k.a Bin Malik), Momoh Otohu Abubakar, Aliyu Yusuf Itopa and Auwal Ishaq Onimisi.

“Barely few hours after the disclosure by the CDS of the arrest of 4 of the Owo Catholic Church attackers, 2 additional ISWAP terrorists, who were also connected to the attack on the church were apprehended at Omialafara (Omulafa), Ose LGA, Ondo State yesterday, 9 August 2022.

“The arrests were made through the collaborative effort by military and DSS personnel. The suspects are Al-Qasim Idris and Abdulhaleem Idris.

“It is instructive to note that Abdulhaleem, alongside other high profile ISWAP commanders, had also previously coordinated attacks on military targets in Okene, Okene LGA, Kogi State resulting in casualties.”

The terrorists killed over 40 worshipers, injured many others in the attack.