Owo Massacre: Fresh Twist As DHQ Announces Two New Arrests Amid Controversies

Hamilton Nwosa
Writer
Owo Massacre: Fresh Twist As DHQ Announces Two New Arrests Amid Controversies

Ad

Israel, Hamas Greenlight First Phase of Trump’s Peace Plan

By Abiola Olawale Israel and Hamas have inked their approval on the inaugural phase of the United States President Donald Trump's Gaza peace initiative. The agreement, announced on Wednesday amid high-stakes indirect talks in Egypt, paves the way for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a surge in humanitarian aid. This development is…

Where Extreme Poverty Rates Are Highest in the World

Key Takeaways Africa is home to 23 of the top 30 countries with the highest rates of extreme poverty. Kosovo ranks in 19th globally in 2024, seeing the highest rates outside of Africa—a country that faces high unemployment rates and ongoing conflict. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) produces roughly three-quarters of the world’s cobalt, it…

Oil Prices Drop as Israel and Hamas Agree to Ceasefire

Oil prices fell in early morning trade on Thursday in Asia as Israel and Hamas agreed to a pause in fighting and a hostages-for-prisoners exchange, under a framework advanced by the Trump administration. Under the agreement, Hamas will release as many as 20 living hostages this weekend, and Israel will pull back forces to a negotiated…

Ad

Following the claims and counterclaims on the arrest of five suspected terrorists allegedly involved in the St. Francis Catholic Church massacre in Owo by the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, the Defence Headquarters, (DHQ) has announced the arrest of two more suspects allegedly linked to the attack.

DHQ in a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Jimmy Akpor, on Thursday, Abuja, said the duo of Al-Qasim Idris and Abdulhaleem Idris were arrested at the Omialafara (Omulafa), Ose LGA in Ondo State during a joint operation with the DSS, Police

The statement was titled, ‘Arrest of two additional suspected terrorists in connection with the Owo Catholic Church on June 5, 2022.’

The statement reads, “Recall that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, during his parley with media executives and editors yesterday, 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. 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 bedevilling our dear nation, Nigeria.”

Ad

Unlocking Opportunities in the Gulf of Guinea during UNGA80
X whatsapp