The Military High Command on Thursday disclosed that two additional ISWAP terrorists who perpetrated the gruesome massacre of over 40 worshippers at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo state, on June 5, 2022, have been arrested. The Director, Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Jimmy Akpor, in a statement on Thursday, said the suspects named Al-Qasim Idris and Abdulhaleem Idris, were apprehended at Omialafara (Omulafa), Ose LGA, Ondo State on Tuesday. Akpor said the arrests were made barely hours after the disclosure of the arrest of four of the terrorists behind the attack by the Chief of Defence State (CDS), Gen Lucky Irabor. He said the suspects were apprehended through the collaborative efforts of the military and personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS).
"Recall that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, during his parley with media executives and editors on 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.
The statement further stated that it is instructive to note that Abdulhaleem, alongside other high-profile ISWAP Commanders, had also previously coordinated attacks on military targets in 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," the statement added.