DSS Arrests Mastermind of 2015 Ayetoro Church Attack

The Department of State Services (DSS) apprehended Shafiu Usman, who is believed to be the mastermind of the December 14, 2015, attack on the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) in Ayetoro, Kogi State. This attack led to the kidnapping of 20 worshippers.

Usman was captured in Gombe State after he had been hiding there. During interrogation, he confessed to his involvement in the Ayetoro church attack and revealed that he collaborated with Ibrahim Dang Battijo, a notorious bandit operating across Niger, Kwara, Kogi, and Zamfara States.

Usman admitted to participating in kidnapping, banditry, and cattle rustling, and he disclosed that Battijo supplied him with arms and ammunition. Following his arrest, Usman remains in DSS custody and is awaiting arraignment.

This operation underscores the DSS's ongoing efforts to tackle banditry and terrorism, as they have also neutralized arms trafficking networks and rescued kidnapping victims.