Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have captured the sixth suspect linked to the 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, which claimed over 40 lives and left dozens injured.
The suspect, identified as Sani Yusuf, was arrested in Iguosa community, along Powerline, in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, after nearly four years on the run.
According to security sources, Yusuf, a high-ranking commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), had initially fled to Kano State following the Owo massacre before settling quietly in the Edo community to evade capture.
The DSS has been prosecuting five others in connection with the attack Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) —mover acts of terrorism.
Sources said Yusuf confessed to his involvement in the planning and execution of the Owo church assault, as well as other ISWAP operations, including the July 2022 Suleja military barracks attack and several kidnappings in Kaduna State and neighboring areas.
“He admitted his role in the Owo church massacre, the Zuma Rock checkpoint ambush that claimed five soldiers, and various other ISWAP kidnap operations,” one source disclosed.
Another source added that Yusuf revealed he once operated under Abu Ikirimah, a top ISWAP commander arrested by the DSS in 2024.
Security officials described the arrest as a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, saying it marks a significant step toward justice for the victims of the Owo church attack and fallen soldiers of Zuma Rock.
