Operatives of the Department of State Services have arrested the alleged mastermind of the December 14, 2025 attack on ECWA Church in Ayetoro, Kogi State.
Security sources said the suspect identified as Shafiu Usman was apprehended at a hideout in Gombe State, where he had reportedly gone into hiding after the incident.
Speaking on Friday, one of the sources said Usman confessed during interrogation to orchestrating the Ayetoro church attack and other kidnapping operations in Niger State, Kwara State and Kogi State.
The source disclosed that the suspect worked with Ibrahim Battijo, described as a bandit operating across Niger State, Kwara State, Kogi State and Zamfara State.
“Our Operatives arrested Shafiu Usman, the alleged mastermind behind the deadly attack on ECWA Church in Ayetoro, Kogi State.
Usman was nabbed at a hideout in Gombe State, where he had been lying low. During interrogation, he confessed to orchestrating the Ayetoro church attack, as well as other kidnappings in Niger, Kwara, and Kogi States. He collaborated with Ibrahim Battijo, a notorious bandit operating across Niger, Kwara, Kogi, and Zamfara States, “the source said.
The source further stated that after the Kogi attack, Usman fled to Gombe but was tracked and arrested by DSS operatives.
“After the Kogi attack, Usman fled to Gombe, but DSS operatives trailed and arrested him. This arrest underscores the DSS’s ongoing achievements in tackling banditry and terrorism, including recent operations in Gombe State that neutralized arms trafficking networks, rescued kidnap victims, and dismantled cross-state syndicates. The suspect remains in our custody awaiting arraignment, “the source said.
On Sunday, December 14, 2025, armed men on motorcycles attacked Ayetoro-Kiri community in Kabba/Bunu LGA of Kogi State.
They abducted at least 30 residents, mostly children and elderly worshippers.
The attackers stormed homes and churches before fleeing through nearby forests