…DSS stated, “Our operatives had been monitoring Sani Yusuf for years before his arrest in Iguosa community
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have apprehended a sixth suspect linked to the 2022 assault on the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, where more than 40 worshippers were killed and many others injured.
The agency had earlier arrested five suspects — Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Abubakar (47) who are currently standing trial in Abuja over alleged terrorism charges.
A security source disclosed on Wednesday that DSS operatives, who had tracked the latest suspect for several years, finally arrested him in the Iguosa community along Powerline in Ovia North Local Government Area of Edo State. The suspect was identified as Sani Yusuf.
According to the source, Yusuf is believed to be a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). After the Owo church attack, he reportedly fled to Kano before later relocating to the Edo community where he was eventually captured.
DSS stated, “Our operatives had been monitoring Sani Yusuf for years before his arrest in Iguosa community, along Powerline in Ovia North LGA of Edo State,” the source said.
He was described as a high-ranking ISWAP commander who allegedly played a key role in planning and executing the Owo church massacre and has reportedly confessed to his involvement.
Another source revealed that beyond the Owo incident, Yusuf was allegedly involved in the July 2022 attack on the Suleja military barracks, kidnappings in Kaduna State and neighbouring areas, as well as the Zuma Rock checkpoint assault that claimed the lives of five soldiers.
The source further stated that Yusuf admitted participating in several ISWAP kidnapping operations and disclosed that he operated under senior ISWAP commanders, including Abu Ikirimah, who was arrested by the DSS in 2024.
