Operatives of the Department of State Services have arrested a sixth suspect in connection with the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, where more than 40 worshippers were killed and many others injured.
A security source disclosed on Wednesday that the suspect, identified as Sani Yusuf, was apprehended in Iguosa community along Powerline in Ovia North Local Government Area of Edo State after years of surveillance.
The source described Yusuf as a high-profile commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). He was said to have fled to Kano shortly after the Owo attack before relocating to Edo State.
According to the source, Yusuf has confessed to participating in the planning and execution of the Owo church massacre. The Pentecost Sunday attack involved the detonation of explosives and indiscriminate gunfire on worshippers, including women and children, making it one of the deadliest incidents in Southwest Nigeria.
Five other suspects — Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Abubakar (47) — had earlier been arrested and are currently standing trial in Abuja on terrorism-related charges.
Another source alleged that Yusuf was also linked to the July 2022 Suleja military barracks attack, kidnappings in Kaduna State and surrounding areas, and the Zuma Rock checkpoint assault that reportedly claimed the lives of five soldiers.
The source added that Yusuf disclosed serving under other ISWAP commanders, including Abu Ikirimah, who was arrested by the DSS in 2024.
Security analysts say the arrest underscores efforts by authorities to track the movement of insurgent cells into southern forests and peri-urban areas to prevent the establishment of new operational bases.
The Owo church attack heightened fears of insurgent expansion beyond the Northeast, where extremist activities have largely been concentrated.