The Department of State Services has arrested a sixth suspect linked to the 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, in which more than 40 worshippers were killed and scores injured.
Security sources said the suspect, identified as Sani Yusuf, was apprehended in Iguosa community, along the Powerline axis of Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, where he had allegedly been in hiding for nearly four years.
The attack on the Catholic church in Owo, Ondo State, shocked the nation when gunmen opened fire on congregants during Sunday Mass.
According to a security source familiar with the operation, Yusuf had remained one of the country’s most wanted terror suspects since the incident.
Operatives of the DSS were said to have tracked him across several states before locating him in Edo.
The source described Yusuf as a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province, alleging that he played a key role in the planning and execution of the Owo attack.
“For nearly four years, he evaded arrest despite sustained intelligence efforts,” the source said. “He was eventually traced to Iguosa, where he had blended into the community.”
Alleged Confession, Wider Terror Links
Security officials said the suspect has confessed to involvement in the Owo church massacre.
“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,” a source disclosed.
Authorities also linked him to the July 2022 attack on a military barracks in Suleja and a series of kidnappings in Kaduna State and surrounding areas.
Another security source said Yusuf operated under other top ISWAP commanders, including Abu Ikirimah, who was reportedly arrested by the DSS in 2024.
“Yusuf also disclosed that he served under other ISWAP top commanders like Abu Ikirimah,” the source added.
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) — over their alleged involvement in the church attack.
Security authorities described the latest arrest as a significant step in ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
“This arrest marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the Owo church attack and the soldiers killed at Zuma Rock checkpoint in Suleja,” a source said, adding that it “underscores the relentless campaign by the DSS in the fight against terrorism.”
The DSS has not issued an official statement as of press time, but sources confirmed that the suspect remains in custody and is assisting investigators.
