By Ayo Kehinde
Six worshippers have been abducted during an early morning service at a Celestial Church in Uso, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, as security operatives continue efforts to rescue them.
The attack comes just as the Department of State Services (DSS), arrested Sani Yusuf, a high-profile commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), linked to the 2022 St. Francis Catholic Church massacre in Owo, where over 40 worshippers were killed.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen struck during the church service, whisking the victims away to an unknown location and causing panic among congregants and residents. One of the abducted victims reportedly escaped shortly after the attack, while families of the remaining worshippers said the kidnappers have yet to make contact.
Confirming the incident, the Police spokesperson, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said, “At approximately 12:50 a.m., six worshippers were abducted at a Celestial Church along the Uso/Owo Motorway. Security operatives, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and local vigilante groups, immediately mobilised to the scene and commenced coordinated rescue operations.”
Abayomi added that one of the kidnapped victims has been successfully rescued, and a suspected informant has been arrested to assist with ongoing investigations.
“Security operations are ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining victims and the apprehension of all perpetrators involved”, he said.
In a related development, DSS operatives arrested Sani Yusuf in Iguosa community, Edo State. Yusuf had evaded arrest for nearly four years after masterminding the 2022 Owo church massacre and other ISWAP-related terrorist attacks, including the July 2022 Suleja military barracks attack and kidnappings in Kaduna State.
Authorities described Yusuf’s arrest as a major milestone in the pursuit of justice for victims of the Owo church attack and other terrorist operations, emphasising the continued campaign by security agencies to dismantle terrorist networks and protect communities across Nigeria.
