Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested the sixth suspect linked to the June 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, where more than 40 worshippers were killed and scores injured.
Security sources confirmed that the suspect, identified as Sani Yusuf, was apprehended in Iguosa community along Powerline, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, after evading arrest for nearly four years.
Four Years on the Run
According to intelligence sources, Yusuf, described as a high-ranking commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), initially fled to Kano State shortly after the Owo massacre before relocating to the quiet Edo community, where he reportedly lived undetected.
The DSS had declared him one of the country’s most wanted terror fugitives and had tracked his movements over several years before his eventual arrest.
Confession and Broader Terror Links
Sources disclosed that Yusuf has allegedly confessed to his role in the planning and execution of the Owo church attack. He also reportedly admitted involvement in other ISWAP operations, including: The July 2022 attack on the Suleja military barracks
The Zuma Rock checkpoint assault that claimed the lives of five soldiers
Several kidnapping operations in Kaduna State and surrounding areas
Investigators further revealed that Yusuf admitted serving under senior ISWAP commanders, including Abu Ikirimah, who was arrested by the DSS in 2024.
Ongoing Prosecution
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 alleged acts of terrorism related to the Owo church massacre.
Security officials described the arrest as a “major breakthrough” in the quest for justice for victims of the Owo church attack and fallen security personnel.
“This arrest marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice and underscores the relentless campaign by the DSS in the fight against terrorism,” a senior security source stated.
The development is expected to strengthen ongoing prosecutions and deepen investigations into ISWAP’s operational networks across the country.
