Dare Babalola
The Department of State Services (DSS) has taken a sixth suspect into custody in connection with the 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.
Recall that over 40 worshippers lost their lives and scores more were left injured in the attack.
The DSS is presently prosecuting five individuals, namely Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47), on charges related to alleged acts of terrorism.
The sixth suspect had evaded capture for almost four years, earning him a place among Nigeria’s most wanted fugitives.
A security source revealed that DSS operatives, who had been tracking the sixth suspect, identified as Sani Yusuf, for years, apprehended him in Iguosa community, located along Powerline in Ovia North Local Government Area of Edo State.
According to the source, Yusuf, a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), had fled to Kano after the Owo church attack, later relocating to the quiet community in Edo State.
Furthermore, Yusuf has confessed to involvement in planning and executing the Owo church massacre.
In addition, the source said Yusuf confessed to involvement in other ISWAP terrorist attacks, including the July 2022 Suleja military barracks attack and kidnappings in Kaduna State and surrounding areas.
“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,.
“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,” another credible source said.
