High-profile ISWAP commander Sani Yusuf arrested in Edo village, confesses to multiple terror attacks.
Abuja, Nigeria – The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested the sixth suspect involved in the horrific June 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which claimed the lives of over 40 worshippers and left many others injured.
The suspect, identified as Sani Yusuf, a high-profile commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), had been on the run for nearly four years, making him one of Nigeria’s most wanted fugitives.
The Arrest
Security sources disclosed that DSS operatives, who had been tracking Yusuf for years, finally apprehended him in the Iguosa community, along Powerline in Ovia North Local Government Area of Edo State.
According to intelligence, Yusuf initially slipped into Kano after the Owo attack before relocating to the quiet and unassuming Edo community, where he attempted to blend in and evade detection.
Confessions
Preliminary investigations reveal that Yusuf has confessed to:
· Planning and executing the June 5, 2022 Owo church massacre
· Participating in the July 2022 attack on the Suleja military barracks
· Involvement in multiple kidnapping operations in Kaduna State and environs
· The Zuma Rock checkpoint assault, which claimed the lives of five soldiers
“Yusuf also disclosed that he served under other ISWAP top commanders like Abu Ikirimah, who was arrested by the DSS in 2024,” a security source added.
Ongoing Prosecutions
The DSS is currently prosecuting five other individuals connected to the Owo attack:
· Idris Omeiza (25)
· Al Qasim Idris (20)
· Jamiu Abdulmalik (26)
· Abdulhaleem Idris (25)
· Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47)
They face charges of terrorism and conspiracy.
Significance of the Arrest
“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,” a security official declared.
The operation demonstrates the continued vigilance and effectiveness of Nigeria’s intelligence community in tracking high-value targets, even years after their initial crimes.
Background: The Owo Church Attack
On June 5, 2022, gunmen stormed the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo during Sunday Mass, opening fire on worshippers and detonating explosives. The attack, one of the deadliest on a place of worship in Nigeria’s history, shocked the nation and drew international condemnation.
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