The Department of State Services (DSS) has apprehended a “high-profile commander” of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) connected to the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.
The suspect, identified as Sani Yusuf, is the sixth individual detained in relation to the attack, which left more than 40 worshippers dead and several others injured.
The DSS is already prosecuting five other suspects — Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) — accused of orchestrating the massacre.
A security source cited by NTA stated that Yusuf was arrested in the Iguosa community, along Powerline, in Ovia North-East LGA of Edo State.
“According to the source, Yusuf, a high-profile commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), had after the Owo church attack, temporarily slipped into Kano before deciding to relocate to the sleepy community in Edo State,” the report read.
The source further revealed that Yusuf has confessed to participating in the planning and execution of the Owo church massacre.
He reportedly admitted involvement in other ISWAP operations, including the July 2022 Suleja military barracks attack and multiple kidnappings in Kaduna State and surrounding areas.
Yusuf also indicated that he had served under senior ISWAP commanders, including Abu Ikirimah, who was arrested by the DSS in 2024.
Earlier reports state that DSS operative informed the federal high court in Abuja about the use of digital forensic tools to track and apprehend suspects connected to the attack.