DSS Apprehends Sixth Suspect in 2022 Owo Church Attack
Abuja, 25 February 2026 – The Department of State Services (DSS) has captured the sixth suspect linked to the 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which killed over 40 worshippers and injured many others.
The suspect, identified as Sani Yusuf, had evaded arrest for nearly four years and was considered one of Nigeria’s most wanted fugitives. He was apprehended in the Iguosa community along Powerline in Ovia North Local Government Area of Edo State, after being tracked by DSS operatives.
Yusuf, described as a high-ranking commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), confessed to participating in the Owo church attack and other ISWAP-led operations. These include the July 2022 attack on Suleja military barracks, the Zuma Rock checkpoint assault that killed five soldiers, and several kidnappings in Kaduna State and neighboring areas.
Sources confirmed that Yusuf previously served under senior ISWAP leaders, including Abu Ikirimah, who was arrested by the DSS in 2024.
The DSS is already prosecuting five other suspects: Idris Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar. Authorities described Yusuf’s arrest as a major breakthrough in the pursuit of justice for the victims of both the Owo church massacre and attacks on security personnel.
The agency emphasized that the capture underscores its continued commitment to combating terrorism in Nigeria.
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