Two members of the terrorist group, the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), Al-Qasim Idris and Abdulhaleem Idris have been arrested over their involvement in the June 5 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church Owo in Ondo State.
Al-Qasim Idris and Abdulhaleem Idris were arrested at Omialafara (Omulafa), Ose LGA of Ondo State by operatives of the military and Department of State Services (DSS), Defence Headquarters said in a statement by Major General Jimmy Akpoer, Director Defence Information.
One of the suspects, Abdulhaleem, alongside other high-profile ISWAP commanders, had also previously coordinated attacks on military targets in Okene, Okene LGA, Kogi State resulting in casualties.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Leo Irabor had at a media briefing on Tuesday announced the arrest of an ISWAP member, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (a.k.a Bin Malik) at Eika, Okehi LGA, Kogi State on 1 August 2022 over the deadly attack on the Catholic Church.
Omeiza was arrested alongside other ISWAP members identified as Momoh Otohu Abubakar, Aliyu Yusuf Itopa and Auwal Ishaq Onimisi in a joint operation by the military and operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS.
The CDS said preliminary investigation revealed that Omeiza was the mastermind of the terror attack on the Owo Catholic Church.
He was also involved in the attack on a Police Station in Adavi Local Government Area, Kogi State on 23 June 2022, during which a policeman was killed and weapons carted away.
The terrorists’ attack on worshipers at the Church claimed over 40 lives with many more people injured.
Read the full statement by the Defence Headquarters Below.
ARREST OF 2 ADDITIONAL SUSPECTED TERRORISTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OWO CATHOLIC CHURCH TERRORISTS ATTACK ON 5 JUNE 2022
Recall that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, during his parley with media executives and editors yesterday, Tuesday 9 August 2022, informed of the arrest of 4 terrorists among those who carried out the attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo on 5 June 2022.
They were arrested through a combined operation by military and DSS personnel at Eika, Okehi LGA, Kogi State on 1 August 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 4 of the Owo Catholic Church attackers, 2 additional ISWAP terrorists, who were also connected to the attack on the church were apprehended at Omialafara (Omulafa), Ose LGA, Ondo State yesterday, 9 August 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 bedevilling our dear nation, Nigeria.
JIMMY AKPOR
Major General
Director Defence Information
