Security operatives have arrested additional two members of the terrorist cell that killed 41 worshippers of St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, on June 5, 2022.
The Director Defence Information, Maj General Jimmy Akpor, made the disclosure in a late night statement on Wednesday.
Akpor who gave the names of the suspects as Al-Qasim Idris and Abdulhaleem Idris said that they were picked up by a combined team of security operatives Omialafara (Omulafa), Ose LGA, Ondo State on Wednesday.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor, had earlier said on Wednesday that four out of the terrorists who attacked the Owo Catholic Church were arrested at Eika, Okehi LGA, Kogi State on 1 August 2022.
According to him, those arrested included Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (a.k.a Bin Malik), Momoh Otohu Abubakar, Aliyu Yusuf Itopa and Auwal Ishaq Onimisi.
The arrest yesterday of the two terror suspects involved in the savage attack now bring to six the total number of those in custody to six.
Akpor said that Abdulhaleem was among top ISWAP Commanders who killed soldiers during attacks on military targets in Okene, Kogi State.
“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.” The statement reads in part.
The Network had reported that the nation’s top intelligence services, particularly, the Department of State Service, has spread a dragnet for fleeing sponsors of the terror cell which massacred 41 worshippers of at Owo in cold blood on June 5.
The Network gathered that the terrorists who carried out the callous massacre confessed during interrogation that about seven people who provided logistic and facilitated the attack are on the run.
Investigation reveal that security operatives who have made a breakthrough with the arrest of four of the members of the cell, are going after the fleeing sponsors of the killer group.
It was gathered that the security agencies are on red alert in all entry points in a relentless search for the seven sponsors and collaborators of those who carried out the dastardly act.
The Network investigation revealed that all land borders and airports and other avenues of escape are under intensified intelligence action.