Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested the sixth suspect linked to the 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, an attack that claimed over 40 lives and left many others injured.
The DSS is already prosecuting five individuals — 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 newly apprehended suspect, Sani Yusuf, had evaded arrest for nearly four years, making him one of Nigeria’s most wanted fugitives.
According to a security source, Yusuf was arrested in Iguosa community along Powerline in Ovia North Local Government Area of Edo State. A high-profile commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Yusuf reportedly moved to the Edo community after initially fleeing to Kano following the Owo church attack.
The source revealed that Yusuf has confessed to his role in the Owo church massacre, as well as other terrorist operations, including the July 2022 Suleja military barracks attack and kidnappings in Kaduna State and surrounding areas.
He also admitted participation in the Zuma Rock checkpoint assault, which claimed the lives of five soldiers, and said he had served under ISWAP commanders such as Abu Ikirimah, who was arrested by the DSS in 2024.
