BREAKING: DSS Arrests Sixth Owo Church Massacre Suspect, ISWAP Commander Sani Yusuf Captured After Four Years in Hiding

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Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested Sani Yusuf, a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), in what security sources describe as a major breakthrough in the long-running investigation into the 2022 Owo church massacre.

Yusuf is identified as the sixth suspect linked to the June 5, 2022, terrorist attack at St. Francis Catholic Church, where more than 40 worshippers were killed during a Pentecost Sunday service. The attack shocked the nation and triggered extensive counterterrorism operations across several states.

According to security sources cited by multiple national media outlets, Yusuf was apprehended in Iguosa community along Powerline Road in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State. Authorities say he had been on the run for nearly four years, reportedly relocating from Kano State before settling in the Edo community in an attempt to evade detection.

Investigators allege that Yusuf played a direct role in the planning and execution of the Owo church attack. He is also reportedly linked to the July 2022 assault on a military checkpoint near Zuma Rock in Suleja, which claimed the lives of five soldiers, as well as multiple kidnapping operations attributed to ISWAP cells in parts of northern Nigeria.

Security sources further indicate that Yusuf operated under senior ISWAP leadership figures, including Abu Ikirimah, who was previously arrested in 2024.

The DSS is already prosecuting five other suspects in connection with the Owo massacre at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The defendants are facing terrorism-related charges, with ongoing proceedings detailing the coordination and execution of the attack.

Although the DSS had not released an official press statement as of Wednesday morning, consistent reporting from multiple reputable news organizations citing security officials has reinforced the credibility of the arrest.

The Owo church massacre remains one of the most devastating terror incidents in Nigeria’s recent history. Yusuf’s arrest is being described by security insiders as a significant step toward justice for the victims and their families, as well as a demonstration of sustained intelligence-led efforts against terror networks operating within the country.

Authorities say further investigations are ongoing, and updates are expected as Yusuf undergoes formal arraignment procedures.

Security agencies continue to urge citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to law enforcement authorities.