The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested the sixth individual connected to the deadly terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo on June 5, 2022, which killed more than forty worshippers.
The arrested suspect, Sani Yusuf, is a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a militant group responsible for multiple attacks across Nigeria. Yusuf was apprehended in the Iguosa community of Ovia North Local Government Area, Edo State, after evading security forces for nearly four years, according to DSS sources.
Authorities confirmed that Yusuf has admitted involvement in planning and executing the Owo church massacre. He also confessed to participating in other attacks, including the July 2022 assault on the Suleja military barracks in Niger State, the Zuma Rock checkpoint attack that killed five soldiers, and several kidnappings in Kaduna State.
Five other suspects are already facing prosecution for their roles in the church attack. Security analysts describe Yusuf’s arrest as a major development in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, significantly disrupting ISWAP operations and strengthening national security.
The DSS has assured that investigations will continue and that all legal procedures will be followed to bring perpetrators to justice.