Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a high-profile commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) who masterminded the 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.
The suspect, identified as Sani Yusuf, was apprehended in Iguosa community, along Powerline in Ovia North Local Government Area of Edo State—ending a nearly four-year manhunt for one of Nigeria’s most wanted fugitives.
Yusuf becomes the sixth person arrested in connection with the horrific June 2022 attack that claimed over 40 worshippers and left scores injured. Five others—Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47)—are currently facing prosecution for terrorism charges.
According to security sources, Yusuf had temporarily slipped into Kano after the Owo church attack before relocating to the sleepy Edo community, where he believed he could evade detection.
In a breakthrough for investigators, Yusuf has since confessed to his involvement in planning and executing the Owo church massacre. He also admitted participation in other major terrorist operations, including:
· The July 2022 attack on Suleja military barracks
· The Zuma Rock checkpoint assault that claimed the lives of five soldiers
· Multiple ISWAP kidnapping operations in Kaduna State and surrounding areas
Sources revealed that Yusuf operated under other top ISWAP commanders, including 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,” a security source declared.
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