Four years after, DSS nabs sixth Owo church terrorist, top ISWAP commander

STEPHEN GBADAMOSI, IBADAN

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have successfully arrested the sixth suspect involved in the 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, which resulted in the loss of over 40 lives and left numerous others injured.
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 their alleged involvement in acts of terrorism.
The sixth suspect, who had evaded arrest for nearly four years, making him one of Nigeria’s most wanted fugitives, was apprehended by DSS operatives in Iguosa community, along Powerline in Ovia North Local Government Area of Edo State.
The Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) reported that according to a security source, the sixth suspect, identified as Sani Yusuf, a high-profile commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), had temporarily relocated to Kano after the Owo church attack before deciding to settle in the sleepy community in Edo State.
The source further disclosed that Yusuf had confessed to his involvement in the planning and execution of the Owo church massacre, as well as other terrorist attacks by ISWAP, including the July 2022 Suleja military barracks attack and kidnappings in Kaduna State and its environs.
“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 revealed.
Another source added that “Yusuf also disclosed that he served under other ISWAP top commanders like Abu Ikirimah, who was arrested by the DSS in 2024.”
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.