Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a sixth suspect linked to the 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, where more than 40 worshippers were killed and several others injured.
The suspect, identified as Sani Yusuf, had reportedly evaded arrest for nearly four years, making him one of Nigeria’s most wanted terrorism suspects.
A security source disclosed that DSS operatives apprehended Yusuf in Iguosa community, along Powerline axis, in Ovia North Local Government Area of Edo State, following sustained intelligence tracking.
According to the source, Yusuf is a high-profile commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). After the Owo church attack, he reportedly fled to Kano State before relocating to the quiet Edo community where he was eventually arrested.
The DSS is currently prosecuting five other suspects over the Owo church massacre. They include Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47), who are facing charges for alleged acts of terrorism connected to the deadly attack.
The June 5, 2022 assault on St. Francis Catholic Church shocked the nation and drew widespread condemnation from within and outside Nigeria, as gunmen opened fire on worshippers during a Sunday service.
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The security source further revealed that Yusuf has allegedly confessed to participating in the planning and execution of the Owo church massacre.
In addition, he reportedly admitted involvement in other terrorist operations attributed to ISWAP, including the July 2022 attack on a military barracks in Suleja, as well as kidnappings in Kaduna State and surrounding areas.
Yusuf also disclosed that he operated under senior ISWAP commanders, including Abu Ikirimah, who was arrested by the DSS in 2024.
Security agencies have intensified efforts in recent years to dismantle terrorist networks operating across parts of the country, particularly those linked to ISWAP and other extremist groups.
The arrest of the sixth suspect is expected to strengthen the ongoing prosecution and may provide further intelligence into the structure and operations of terrorist cells involved in the Owo massacre and related attacks.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement detailing the circumstances of the arrest, but security sources describe it as a significant breakthrough in the long-running investigation into one of Nigeria’s deadliest attacks on a place of worship.