The Nigerian Army has disclosed the arrest of two more leaders of the Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) who are linked to the deadly June 5, 2022, terrorist attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Ondo State.
It would be recalled that on Sunday, June 5, some gunmen invaded St. Xavier catholic church in Owo, Ondo State, and left no less than 40 worshippers dead.
The incident immediately sent many people in Ondo State into panic, as the assailants threatened more attacks.
Addressing members of the public on the outcome of an ongoing investigation of the incident, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, stated that the terrorists behind the attack have been arrested.
More so, in the late hours of Wednesday, August 10, Director Defence Information, Major General Jimmy Akpor, in a statement, gave the names of the newly-arrested suspects are – Al-Qasim Idris and Abdulhaleem Idris.
The statement read: “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 bedeviling our dear nation, Nigeria.”
1 Comment