DSS Apprehends ISWAP Commander Behind Owo Church Massacre

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday arrested a high-profile commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), identified as Sani Yusuf.

The suspect is connected to the 2022 terrorist attack at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State. The attack left over 40 worshippers dead and many others injured.

A security source disclosed that the suspect, identified as Sani Yusuf, was apprehended in the Iguosa community, along the Powerline axis in the Ovia North Local Government Area of Edo State, after years of evading arrest.

The source said Yusuf had been wanted by security agencies since the June 5, 2022, massacre at the Catholic church in Owo, but reportedly escaped to Kano soon after the attack, then moved to Edo State, where he lived quietly in a rural community for almost four years.

“For nearly four years, he remained one of the most wanted fugitives in Nigeria,” the source said. The arrest came after ongoing intelligence work by DSS operatives.

According to Zagagola Makama, the security source called Yusuf a high-profile commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and said he played a major part in planning and carrying out the Owo church attack.

“He admitted his role in the Owo church attack, the Zuma Rock checkpoint assault which claimed the lives of five soldiers, and several ISWAP kidnap operations,” the source said.

The suspect is said to have admitted involvement in the July 2022 assault on a military barracks in Suleja, Niger State, as well as a string of kidnappings across Kaduna State and its surroundings.

The DSS is also prosecuting five other suspects in connection with the Owo church attack: Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47).

The suspects are facing charges bordering on terrorism and related offences.

Another security source disclosed that Yusuf allegedly served under top ISWAP commanders, including Abu Ikirimah, who was arrested by the DSS in 2024.

Officials describe the arrest as a major step forward in bringing justice to the victims of the Owo church massacre and similar attacks.

“This arrest underscores the relentless campaign by the DSS in the fight against terrorism,” the source added.