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DSS Arrests Sixth Suspect Linked to 2022 Owo Church Attack
DSS Arrests Sixth Suspect Linked to 2022 Owo Church Attack
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested the sixth suspect linked to the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, an incident in which over 40 worshippers were killed and many others sustained injuries.
Security sources identified the suspect as Sani Yusuf, who had evaded arrest for nearly four years, making him one of the most wanted fugitives connected to the deadly church attack. The arrest followed years of intelligence gathering and surveillance by the DSS.
Yusuf was apprehended in Iguosa, a community along the Powerline axis in Ovia North-East Local Government Area. Security sources said the suspect had been living quietly in the area after fleeing other parts of the country to avoid detection.
According to intelligence sources, Yusuf is a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and played a key role in the planning and execution of the Owo church attack. After the assault, he reportedly fled to Kano State before relocating to Edo State, where he was eventually tracked and arrested.
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During preliminary interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to his role in the Owo church massacre. Security sources also disclosed that he admitted involvement in other major terror operations carried out by ISWAP across northern Nigeria.
Among the attacks linked to Yusuf are the July 2022 assault on the Suleja military barracks, the Zuma Rock checkpoint attack that claimed the lives of five soldiers, as well as several kidnapping operations in Kaduna State and surrounding areas. Investigators say his confession has provided valuable intelligence on wider ISWAP operational networks.
Further disclosures indicate that Yusuf operated under the command of senior ISWAP leaders, including Abu Ikirimah, who was arrested by the DSS in 2024. Intelligence obtained from Yusuf is expected to aid ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
Meanwhile, the DSS is currently prosecuting five suspects already in custody for terrorism-related offences connected to the Owo attack. They include Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47). The suspects are facing charges bordering on terrorism, conspiracy and mass casualty attacks.
Security analysts describe Yusuf’s arrest as a major breakthrough in the long-running investigation into the Owo church massacre and a significant boost to Nigeria’s counter-terrorism campaign. A security source said the development underscores the DSS’s resolve to ensure justice for victims and to dismantle terror networks, regardless of how long suspects remain at large.
The 2022 Owo church attack remains one of the deadliest terror incidents in southern Nigeria, drawing nationwide and international condemnation and intensifying calls for sustained intelligence-driven security operations across the country.
DSS Arrests Sixth Suspect Linked to 2022 Owo Church Attack
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JUST IN: FG Publishes List of 48 Individuals, Groups Linked to Terrorism Financing in Nigeria
JUST IN: FG Publishes List of 48 Individuals, Groups Linked to Terrorism Financing in Nigeria
The Federal Government has released a list of 48 individuals and organisations alleged to be involved in terrorism financing in Nigeria, marking a significant step in ongoing efforts to disrupt funding networks linked to insecurity across the country.
The list was published on Saturday by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NIGSAC), the inter-agency body responsible for enforcing financial sanctions in line with Nigeria’s counter-terrorism financing (CTF) and anti-money laundering (AML) frameworks.
According to the committee, the designated individuals and entities are suspected of providing financial, logistical, or operational support to terrorist organisations operating in parts of the country, particularly in the North-East and other security-affected regions.
The list reportedly includes individuals connected to proscribed organisations such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Ansaru, and the Islamic State West Africa Province. Among those named are Tukur Mamu, Simon Ekpa, Abdulsamad Ohida, Usman Abubakar, Kubara Salawu, Rabiu Suleman, Simon Njoku, Godstime Itare, Francis Nmaduabuchi, Chukwuka Eze, Edwin Chukwuedo, and others listed in the official document.
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Security and financial intelligence sources said the designation is part of strengthened efforts to enforce targeted financial sanctions against terrorism sponsors, in line with Nigeria’s obligations under international security and financial monitoring standards. The sanctions framework allows authorities to impose measures such as asset freezes, restrictions on financial transactions, and travel limitations on individuals and organisations identified as being involved in terrorism financing activities.
Officials said the move is aimed at cutting off funding channels that support insurgent groups and separatist-linked violence in affected parts of the country. The Nigeria Sanctions Committee explained that the publication of the list is part of broader efforts to strengthen national security by targeting the financial infrastructure behind terrorism.
It added that identifying and sanctioning individuals linked to terrorist financing is crucial to weakening the operational capacity of groups responsible for attacks on civilians and security forces. Authorities also stressed that the listings are part of ongoing investigations and do not replace judicial proceedings, noting that further legal and enforcement actions may follow where evidence is established.
The development comes amid intensified military operations against insurgent groups across the country, as well as increased coordination between security agencies and financial regulators to monitor suspicious transactions and disrupt illicit funding flows.
Officials reiterated that combating terrorism requires both military action and sustained efforts to dismantle the financial networks supporting terrorism in Nigeria.
As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government has not issued additional details beyond the published list, while reactions are expected from some of the individuals and organisations named.
JUST IN: FG Publishes List of 48 Individuals, Groups Linked to Terrorism Financing in Nigeria
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42-Year-Old Married Woman Declared Missing Found in Hotel with Man
42-Year-Old Married Woman Declared Missing Found in Hotel with Man
A 42-year-old woman declared missing in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, has been found in a hotel room in Ugbe-Akoko, sparking widespread reactions and renewed concerns over the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
The woman reportedly left her matrimonial home in Ilara-Mokin in Ifedore Local Government Area without informing her husband or family members, prompting fears that she had been abducted or harmed.
Her husband was said to have raised the alarm after repeated attempts to reach her failed, leading to concern among relatives and residents of the community. The development triggered a search effort as anxiety grew over her whereabouts.
According to sources familiar with the case, the woman was later traced to Ugbe-Akoko in Akoko North-East Local Government Area, located about 124 kilometres from Ilara-Mokin. The journey between both locations typically takes over two hours by road.
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She was reportedly discovered in a hotel in the area in the company of a 55-year-old man. Both individuals were taken in for questioning by relevant authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding their presence at the location.
Preliminary findings suggest that the woman may not have been abducted as initially feared but might have left home voluntarily without informing her family. However, officials are still working to establish the full details surrounding her movement and activities before she was found.
The incident has generated mixed reactions among residents of both communities, with many expressing shock, confusion, and concern over the circumstances that led to her disappearance and eventual discovery in a hotel.
Security agencies are continuing investigations to determine whether any offence was committed and to clarify the nature of the relationship between the woman and the man found with her.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from law enforcement authorities, while the case continues to attract attention across Ondo State.
42-Year-Old Married Woman Declared Missing Found in Hotel with Man
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ADC Threatens Civil Disobedience To Force INEC Chairman To Resign
ADC Threatens Civil Disobedience To Force INEC Chairman To Resign
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over allegations of political bias linked to controversial old social media posts, while also threatening civil disobedience if he remains in office.
The opposition party said its position follows growing concerns about the neutrality of the electoral body ahead of future elections, insisting that the credibility of the electoral process in Nigeria must not be compromised.
The controversy centres on alleged archived posts on X (formerly Twitter) attributed to an account bearing Amupitan’s name, which critics claim contained expressions perceived as supportive of the ruling All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The allegations gained wider attention after US-based Nigerian scholar Farooq Kperogi referenced the purported posts in a public commentary, arguing that they raise questions about the independence of INEC leadership. The claims have since sparked heated debate across social media, with supporters of the electoral commission questioning their authenticity while critics insist they undermine public trust in the institution.
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In response, the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, cautioned against misinformation and impersonation, warning that cybercriminals may be using fake accounts to circulate false narratives. He reaffirmed that INEC remains committed to delivering free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria, urging the public to rely only on verified communication channels from the commission.
Reacting to the controversy, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi described the allegations as a serious breach of public trust and a threat to Nigeria’s democratic integrity, arguing that an electoral umpire must not only be neutral but must also be seen to be unquestionably impartial. According to him, the allegations—if proven true—undermine confidence in the leadership of the electoral body. Abdullahi further alleged attempts to manipulate or alter digital records linked to the controversy, describing the situation as a “calculated assault on truth and accountability.”
He said: “The referee cannot be running around in the shirt of one of the teams he is supposed to officiate.” The ADC insisted that Prof. Amupitan must resign immediately, warning that failure to do so would trigger escalated action, including civil disobedience protests across Nigeria. The party also said it would update petitions to relevant professional and international bodies, including the Nigeria Bar Association (Nigeria Bar Association), as part of efforts to intensify pressure on the electoral commission.
The controversy adds to rising political tension surrounding the leadership of INEC, as opposition parties increasingly scrutinise the commission’s neutrality ahead of upcoming electoral cycles. Analysts say the situation highlights ongoing concerns about trust in Nigeria’s electoral institutions, especially in the digital age where social media content can significantly influence public perception.
As of the time of filing this report, INEC has not issued a fresh statement addressing the ADC’s latest demand for the chairman’s resignation or its threat of civil disobedience.
ADC Threatens Civil Disobedience To Force INEC Chairman To Resign
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