BY SUNDAY SAMUEL—Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a key figure of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) allegedly linked to the 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, as well as the military barracks assault in Suleja.
The suspect, who had reportedly been on the run for nearly four years, was apprehended following sustained intelligence operations, marking a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to bring those responsible for the deadly attacks to justice.
A security source disclosed that DSS, operatives, who had for years been on the trail of the sixth suspect, identified as Sani Yusuf, arrested him in Iguosa community, along Powerline in Ovia North Local Government Area of Edo State.
According to the source, Yusuf is described as a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Following the Owo church attack, he reportedly fled to Kano State before relocating to the Edo community where he was eventually captured.
The source further revealed that Yusuf has confessed to participating in the planning and execution of the Owo church attack. He also allegedly admitted involvement in other ISWAP operations, including the July 2022 attack on the military barracks in Suleja and multiple kidnapping incidents 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 several ISWAP kidnap operations,” the source said.
Another source added that Yusuf disclosed he operated under senior ISWAP commanders, including Abu Ikirimah, who was arrested by the DSS in 2024.
The arrest is being described as a major breakthrough in efforts to secure justice for the victims of the Owo church massacre and the soldiers killed at the Zuma Rock checkpoint in Suleja, underscoring the DSS’s sustained campaign against terrorism.
