Two additional suspects linked to the attack on St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, on June 5, 2022, have been arrested, according to the Defence Headquarters.
The suspects, Al-Qasim Idris and Abdulhaleem Idris, were arrested at Omialafara (Omulafa), Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, through a collaborative effort by the Military and DSS personnel on Tuesday.
The Director of Defence Information, Major General Jimmy Akpor, made this development known in a statement on Wednesday.
“Recall that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, during his parley with media executives and Editors on Tuesday, informed of the arrest of four terrorists among those who attacked St Francis Catholic Church, Owo on June 5, 2022.
“They were arrested through a combined operation by Military and DSS personnel at Eika, Okehi LGA, Kogi State on August 1, 2022. Those arrested include Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (a.k.a Bin Malik), Momoh Otohu Abubakar, Aliyu Yusuf Itopa, and Auwal Ishaq Onimisi.
“Barely few hours after the disclosure by the CDS of the arrest of four of the Owo Catholic Church attackers, two additional ISWAP terrorists, who were also connected to the attack on the church, were apprehended at Omialafara (Omulafa), Ose LGA, Ondo State, on August 9, 2022.
“The arrests were made through the collaborative effort by military and DSS personnel. The suspects are Al-Qasim Idris and Abdulhaleem Idris.
“It is instructive to note that Abdulhaleem, alongside other high-profile ISWAP Commanders, had also previously coordinated attacks on military targets in Okene, Okene LGA, Kogi State, resulting in casualties.
“It is the avowed commitment of the leadership of the Military, Nigeria Police, DSS, and other security agencies to work in synergy to enthrone peace and security all over the country.
“This is due to the need for collaboration as an essential requirement to successfully deal with the existential asymmetric threats currently bedeviling our dear nation, Nigeria.”
Five Attackers Responsible For Owo Church Massacre Arrested, Ondo Governor Confirms
