Operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) have apprehended the sixth individual linked to the 2022 assault on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, an attack that claimed over 40 lives and left many others injured.

Currently, the DSS is pursuing charges against five individuals—Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47)—for their alleged involvement in acts of terrorism.

The sixth suspect had remained at large for nearly four years, becoming one of Nigeria’s most wanted fugitives.

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

According to the source, Yusuf, a high-ranking commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), initially fled to Kano after the Owo church attack before relocating to a quiet community in Edo State. The source further reported that Yusuf has since admitted to his involvement in planning and executing the Owo church massacre.

Additionally, he confessed to other terrorist activities carried out by ISWAP, including the July 2022 attack on Suleja military barracks and kidnappings in Kaduna State and its surroundings.

"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 disclosed.

"Yusuf also disclosed that he served under other ISWAP top commanders like Abu Ikirimah, who was arrested by the DSS in 2024," another source offered.

"This arrest marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the Owo church attack, the soldiers killed at Zuma Rock checkpoint in Suleja, and underscores the relentless campaign by the DSS in the fight against terrorism," he declared.