Two more prominent Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) commanders have been detained, according to the Nigerian Army Defence Headquarters (DHQ), in relation to the June 5 massacre at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which resulted in the deaths of over 50 worshippers and the injuries of hundreds more.
Al-Qasim Idris and Abdulhaleem Idris were identified in a statement released on Thursday by Maj. Gen. Jimmy Akpor, Director of Defence Information, who also confirmed their capture on Tuesday night at Omialafara (Omulafa), Ose local government area of Ondo State.
“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 four 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.”
