By Atinuke Alao
Sixth person, who allegedly participated in the 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, Sani Yusuf, is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services, Wind Gate News has learnt.
The attack left over 40 worshippers dead while many others sustained varying degrees of wounds.
For nearly four years, the sixth suspect evaded arrest, making him one of the most wanted fugitives in Nigeria.
Informed sources disclosed that DSS operatives, who had for years been on the trail of the sixth suspect, arrested him in Iguosa community, along Powerline in Ovia North Local Government Area of Edo State
Five suspects — Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) are undergoing trial for allegedly carrying out acts of terrorism.
However, NTA gathered that Yusuf, a high-profile commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), had after the Owo church attack, temporarily slipped into Kano before deciding to relocate to the sleepy community in Edo.
The source also noted that Yusuf confessed to being involved in the planning and execution of the Owo church massacre.
The suspect, according to the source, confessed to other ISWAP terrorist attacks, including the July 2022 Suleja military barracks attack, and kidnappings in Kaduna State and environs.
The source said, “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.
“Yusuf also disclosed that he served under other ISWAP top commanders like Abu Ikirimah, who was arrested by the DSS in 2024.
“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.”
