DSS Arrests Alleged ISWAP Commander Linked To Owo Church Attack - Crime

DSS Arrests Alleged ISWAP Commander Linked To Owo Church Attack - Crime - Nairaland

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DSS Arrests Alleged ISWAP Commander Linked To Owo Church Attack by TheChemistrixx(op): 9:28am On Feb 25

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have apprehended the sixth suspect linked to the 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State — a tragic incident that claimed the lives of over 40 worshippers and left many others injured.

The DSS is already prosecuting five suspects — Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) — for allegedly carrying out acts of terrorism connected to the massacre.

For nearly four years, the sixth suspect managed to evade arrest, becoming one of Nigeria’s most wanted fugitives.

However, security operatives who had persistently tracked his movements finally captured him.

A security source revealed that DSS operatives arrested the suspect, identified as Sani Yusuf, in the Iguosa community along Powerline in Ovia North Local Government Area of Edo State.

He had reportedly been on the agency’s watchlist for years.

According to the source, Yusuf — described as a high-profile commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) — initially fled to Kano State after the Owo church attack before relocating to the quiet Edo community where he was eventually apprehended.

The source further disclosed that Yusuf has confessed to his role in planning and executing the Owo church massacre.

In addition, he reportedly admitted involvement in other ISWAP-led operations, including the July 2022 attack on the Suleja military barracks, as well as several kidnappings in Kaduna State and surrounding areas.

“He admitted his role in the Owo church attack, the Zuma Rock checkpoint assault that claimed the lives of five soldiers, and multiple ISWAP kidnapping operations,” the source stated.

Another source added that Yusuf disclosed he had served under senior ISWAP commanders, including Abu Ikirimah, who was arrested by the DSS in 2024.

“This arrest represents a significant breakthrough in the quest for justice for the victims of the Owo church attack and the soldiers killed at the Zuma Rock checkpoint in Suleja.

“It also underscores the sustained and determined efforts of the DSS in the fight against terrorism,” the source declared.

https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/02/25/dss-captures-sixth-owo-church-attacker/

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Re: DSS Arrests Alleged ISWAP Commander Linked To Owo Church Attack by dawnomike(m): 9:40am On Feb 25

When caught, they get to look so innocent and harmless!!!

#Muderer

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Re: DSS Arrests Alleged ISWAP Commander Linked To Owo Church Attack by teekrackz(m): 10:33am On Feb 25

dawnomike:
When caught, they get to look so innocent and harmless!!!

#Muderer

I know right, you’d think that this guy looking all innocent was framed for this crime but na so dem dey be

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Re: DSS Arrests Alleged ISWAP Commander Linked To Owo Church Attack by HopeNeverDies(m): 10:48am On Feb 25

Omohhhhhhhhhhh!!! How I wish this happened in Afghanistan. This nigga would have gone to meet his 72 virgins waiting for him.

Why is he even still alive huh

So he could get a presidential pardon ba? Or a Nigerian Army enlistment later huh

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Re: DSS Arrests Alleged ISWAP Commander Linked To Owo Church Attack by iichidodo: 10:50am On Feb 25

More like an ISWAP sleeper cell leader in Southern Nigeria.....

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Re: DSS Arrests Alleged ISWAP Commander Linked To Owo Church Attack by Boladogailese(f): 10:51am On Feb 25

Very soon insurgence will become a thing of the past

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Re: DSS Arrests Alleged ISWAP Commander Linked To Owo Church Attack by alpharoyalty: 10:51am On Feb 25*

My question is this.
Why do Muslims hate christians so much.
We have passed the era of senseless hate and fight.
It should be humanity first before religion .
Let us embrace peace 🙏

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Re: DSS Arrests Alleged ISWAP Commander Linked To Owo Church Attack by Fiscus105(m): 10:52am On Feb 25

By now the case is supposed to have been completed and those guys executed, but trust Naija people, they will turn snail and refused to see the case file and evidence until jail break happens and circle countinues.

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Re: DSS Arrests Alleged ISWAP Commander Linked To Owo Church Attack by deebrain(m): 10:53am On Feb 25

See how innocent he looks.

I hope these are the real culprits though.

It underscore the fact that terrorists are amazingly, people all around us - you will never even suspect them by their general looks.

Let's be very cautious.

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Re: DSS Arrests Alleged ISWAP Commander Linked To Owo Church Attack by adefitim(m): 11:02am On Feb 25

Fiscus105:
By now the case is supposed to have been completed and those guys executed, but trust Naija people, they will turn snail and refused to see the case file and evidence until jail break happens and circle countinues.

Just like how your saner cline (USA) Prosecute the officer that killed George Floyd within one week right?
Your find every means to castigate Nigeria shame

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Re: DSS Arrests Alleged ISWAP Commander Linked To Owo Church Attack by ZombieTAMER: 11:02am On Feb 25

They'll release him through the back door tomorrow

useless administration

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Re: DSS Arrests Alleged ISWAP Commander Linked To Owo Church Attack by PolyGamous(m): 11:02am On Feb 25

alpharoyalty:
My question is this.
Why do Muslims hate christians so much.
We have passed the era of muhammed.
It should be humanity first before religion

The main question is “why do Jews, Christians, and Muslims hate eachother?”…

This 3 religions has one lineage, but hate to coexist, the Christians states “US and Europe” will spend so much to sponsor radical Islamist to paint the religion bad, the Jew will do everything to infiltrate the Christians religion and teaching.

I don’t blame them, but the people that took a government system as their religion!!! They know how much that is generated from people because they are religion..

I think Religion “churches, mosques, synagogues” should be controlled by the government not private!!

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Re: DSS Arrests Alleged ISWAP Commander Linked To Owo Church Attack by chudez0147(m): 11:03am On Feb 25

deebrain:
See how innocent he looks.

I hope these are the real culprits though.

It underscore the fact that terrorists are amazingly, people all around us - you will never even suspect them by their general looks.

Let's be very cautious.

Some of you have sh!t in your head. You hope he is the real culprit how? Some one that has already confessed. Na wa o

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Re: DSS Arrests Alleged ISWAP Commander Linked To Owo Church Attack by SlavaUkraini: 11:03am On Feb 25

DSS now acting like the FBI

You can run but you cannot hide

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Re: DSS Arrests Alleged ISWAP Commander Linked To Owo Church Attack by ZombieTAMER: 11:04am On Feb 25

dederocs:
Cut off their heads, I wonder why we spare these demons

You want insecurity to end?

They'll feed him with your resources
reintegrate him back to the society
so he can join the army or Police..

give information back to his ISWAP group

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