DSS Nabs Sixth Suspect in Deadly 2022 Owo Church Attack After Four-Year Manhunt

The Department of State Services (DSS) has apprehended Sani Yusuf, an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander believed to be the sixth suspect in the brutal 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.

The arrest comes after an intensive four-year manhunt by Nigerian security operatives seeking to bring all perpetrators of the June 2022 massacre to justice. The attack, which shocked the nation, claimed the lives of over 40 worshippers and left many others injured during the Pentecost Sunday service.

Sani Yusuf's capture marks a significant milestone in the investigation, as security agencies continue to dismantle the terrorist network responsible for one of the deadliest attacks on a place of worship in recent Nigerian history. The DSS has previously arrested five other suspects linked to the incident.

The Owo church attack drew widespread condemnation both locally and internationally, with calls for enhanced security measures at religious institutions across the country. The Nigerian government had vowed to ensure that all those involved face the full wrath of the law.

Security analysts say the arrest demonstrates the persistence of Nigerian intelligence agencies in tracking down high-value terrorist targets, even years after the commission of such crimes. The suspect is expected to face terrorism charges alongside his co-defendants.