ABUJA, Nigeria – Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria’s domestic intelligence agency, have arrested the sixth suspect linked to the June 5, 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which resulted in the deaths of over forty worshippers. Okay News reports that the arrest marks a significant advancement in Nigeria’s ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
The suspect, identified as Sani Yusuf, is a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a militant group operating in West Africa. Security sources revealed that Yusuf was apprehended in the Iguosa community within Ovia North Local Government Area of Edo State after evading arrest for nearly four years.
The DSS is currently prosecuting five other individuals in connection with the Owo church attack. Sources familiar with the investigation confirmed that Yusuf has admitted to orchestrating and participating in the June 2022 massacre. In addition, he reportedly confessed to involvement in several other terrorist operations, including the July 2022 attack on the Suleja military barracks in Niger State, the assault on the Zuma Rock checkpoint that killed five soldiers, and multiple kidnappings in Kaduna State.
Authorities have described the arrest as a major breakthrough in counter-terrorism efforts, bringing hope for justice for the victims and their families. Security analysts say that capturing high-ranking ISWAP commanders like Yusuf disrupts the operational capacity of extremist networks in Nigeria and the broader West African region.
The DSS has assured the public that investigations will continue and that the judicial process will be followed to hold all perpetrators accountable.
