₦airaland Forum

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.

SpaceX:
Hope it's not guess work and they have enough evidence to prove.

Hamachi:
The iphone they sell in Nigeria are all repackaged. Explain to me how my Aunt bought a phone in Nigeria and it had issues and went to their shop abroad when she went for vacation for repair and it was a stolen phone.

Have you tasted some powdered beverages abroad? You will know the one they sell here in Nigeria, they are killing you slowly in Nigeria.

Elzazzi:
My brother I’m surprised too ooo. Instead of outright capital punishment!

mariovito:
This has become a recurring decimal

Actionable intelligence gets put out, yet those supposed to act on do nothing.

Also, is that the DSS cannot act on their own Intel?

Must they wait for other arms to take responsibility?

Talkisneeded:
A society where no one is truly above law,ordinary local government chairman for here go dare law and order and nothing go sup

helinues:
There are so many unreported cases most especially in Southern Nigeria

Helinuse:
On a more serious note:

The Nigerian secret service actually doesn’t exist. Any event of worthy intelligence needs is safer to pass through the police force than the DSS or SSS. They are one of the most ineffective agencies of Nigeria and can only be good enough for tracking down disagreeing voices.

Meektunz:
Why didn't they make sure the prize money was set even before the show began? This country is a joke. This is a breach of trust.

cjudy:
Nigeria don happen to her. This is the same thing Reno is praying to happen to him. Once you criticize the security of the country, they will send Reno Omokcry to debut it and change the narrative and I’m surprise people still support this government

Sheuns:
This may be the beginning of the end to the administration of that president.

DiarisGodoo:
There are stories like these in saner climes too but they get awarded millions when the medics screw up

LagosOrigin:
Which Nigeria security forces are you talking about ? I thought you guys said that you have amotekun and that they are more sophisticated than all the security network in south east .. so why are your people in banditry ravaged kwara state still crying and begging for help ?

SeeWahala:
After 12 hours this thread is still struggling to reach 3 posts . .


But just change the headline to 1 cattle market closed in the South East and see the wonder that will overtake the thread 🤗

Igbos . . . 1st class citizens of the Nigerian people

Willy2025:
Trust me. They are going to get him dead or alive. That's how efficient the FBI are. This is not Nigeria, where the security systems and apparatus are in a state of comatose.

guass:
This is why I love Western World. Terrorists are non-state actors and have no place in the society. Do u know how many people those monsters have decimated? Terrorists are killed, they are not sentenced.
Do you know how many widow, widower and orphans those monsters have created.
KIDNAPPERS ARE GIVEN LIFE SENTENCE WHILE TERRORISTS ARE GIVEN 15 YEARS.
KIDNAPPING IS ONE PERCENT OF TERRORISM.
WHILE
KIDNAPPERS ARE GIVEN LIFE JAIL
TERRORISTS SHOULD DIE BY HANGING.

Kaa4:
Why is the picture of the felon not here? Is it not true that there was a conviction? Can a felon insist to the state that his picture should not be publicised?

Will there be parole for him in Nigeria (I know we don't do parole, but official guys have ways of doing it)? Will there be a jailbreak if parole does not work? Why are they not mentioning their sponsors?
So many questions to ask? But can I get answers on this forum?

YeyeGbami:
We don hear now, abi na until dem begin call una bigot.

Curious345:
Everybody caught competing with jagaban on the island for property and real estate must shift or be declared

IMPARTIAL:
Arrangee setup just to show that some of the attackers were arrested.

Na lie! These guys would even be settled for agreeing to take up the deal. After the court processes, they will be allowed to go.

smileyoo:
i thought am the only one noticing this .
it's like going after the victims, who were only trying to fight back.
How many of the real attackers were arrested ?

Oloniyan:
This one is a law breaker not a law maker