DSS captures ISWAP commander behind Owo church terrorist attack in Ondo

Department of State Services (DSS) operatives have arrested the sixth suspect linked to the 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, in which more than 40 worshippers were killed and several others injured.

A security source disclosed that the suspect, identified as Sani Yusuf, was apprehended in Iguosa community, along the Powerline axis in the Ovia North Local Government Area of Edo State, after years of evading arrest.

According to the source, Yusuf had been on the radar of security agencies since the June 5, 2022, massacre at the Catholic church in Owo.

He reportedly fled to Kano shortly after the attack before relocating to Edo State, where he allegedly blended into the quiet rural community for nearly four years.

“For nearly four years, he remained one of the most wanted fugitives in Nigeria,” the source said, adding that his arrest followed sustained intelligence tracking by DSS operatives.

According to Zagagola Makama, the security source described Yusuf as a high-profile commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), alleging that he played a key role in the planning and execution of the Owo church attack.

“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 said.

The suspect was also alleged to have confessed to involvement in the July 2022 attack on a military barracks in Suleja, Niger State, as well as multiple kidnapping operations in Kaduna State and surrounding areas.

The DSS is currently prosecuting five other suspects over the Owo church attack. They include Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47).

The suspects are facing charges bordering on terrorism and related offences.

The arrest, according to officials, marks a significant breakthrough in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the Owo church massacre and other related attacks.

“This arrest underscores the relentless campaign by the DSS in the fight against terrorism,” the source added.