Just In: Names Revealed as Military Arrests 2 More Terrorists Behind Owo Church Attack

Just In: Names Revealed as Military Arrests 2 More Terrorists Behind Owo Church Attack

  • The Nigerian military has arrested two additional suspected terrorists behind the June 5 attack on a church in Owo, Ondo state
  • Major General Jimmy Akpor, the Director of Defence Information, announced this in a statement on Wednesday, August 10
  • Akpor said the suspected terrorists were apprehended a few hours after the announcement of the first four people arrested in connection to the church attack

FCT, Abuja - The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced the arrest of two additional ISWAP terrorists who are also connected to the Owo church attack.

Major General Jimmy Akpor, the Director of Defence Information, in a statement on Wednesday, August 10, said the terrorists were arrested at Omialafara (Omulafa), Ose LGA, Ondo state on Tuesday, August 9.

Defence Headquarters/Owo Church Attack/Terrorists
The military has arrested two more suspected terrorists behind the Owo church attack. Photo credit: Defence Headquarters Nigeria
Source: Facebook

He added that the arrests were made through a collaborative effort by military and DSS personnel. The suspects are:

Read also

DHQ gives updates on 'masterminds' of Owo church attack, reveals names of arrested terrorists, their roles

  1. Al-Qasim Idris
  2. Abdulhaleem Idris.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!

According to Akpor, 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," the DHQ spokesman said.

Owo church attack: Four suspects previously arrested

Recall that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, during his parley with media executives and editors earlier on Tuesday, announced the arrest of four terrorists behind the attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo on Sunday, June 5.

Read also

Military arrests Owo church attackers? Akeredolu drops new revelation

They were arrested through a combined operation by military and DSS personnel at Eika, Okehi LGA, Kogi state on Monday, August 1.

Those arrested include Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (a.k.a Bin Malik), Momoh Otohu Abubakar, Aliyu Yusuf Itopa and Auwal Ishaq Onimisi.

Owo church attackers’ arrest: Akeredolu claims “mix-up” in military report

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Rotimi Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo state, said that there was a ‘mix-up’ in the military report on the arrest of Owo attackers.

He said Idris Ojo, one of the arrested suspects on the military’s list of those that attacked the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, on June 5, was not part of the attackers.

Ojo was one of the inmates who escaped Kuje prison on July 5. Meanwhile, the Owo attack happened on June 5, hence the mix-up. The Defence Headquarters has, however, clarified the mix-up.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Nurudeen Lawal avatar

Nurudeen Lawal (Head of Politics and Current Affairs Desk) Nurudeen Lawal is an AFP-certified journalist with a wealth of experience spanning over 8 years. He received his B/Arts degree in Literature-in-English from OAU. Lawal is the Head of the Politics/CA Desk at Legit.ng, where he applies his expertise to provide incisive coverage of events. He was named the Political Desk Head of the Year (Nigeria Media Nite-Out Award 2023). He is also a certified fact-checker (Dubawa fellowship, 2020). Contact him at lawal.nurudeen@corp.legit.ng or +2347057737768.