In a major counterterrorism breakthrough, the Department of State Services (DSS) has recaptured Abdulazeez Obadaki, a senior commander of the Ansaru extremist group, widely believed to have orchestrated the August 7, 2012 mass shooting at a Deeper Life Bible Church near Okene, Kogi State.
At least 19 Christian worshippers, including the church’s pastor, were killed when three gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles stormed the church during a service. Obadaki is also linked to a later attack on five commercial banks in Uromi, Edo State.
Obadaki, also known by the alias “Bomboy,” was initially arrested in the aftermath of the attacks, but escaped custody during the July 2022 jailbreak at Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja.
According to security sources, shortly after his transfer from Kabba Custodial Centre in June 2022, he confessed to masterminding the jailbreak.
He was tracked down and re-arrested on a recent Friday morning through what officials described as a “well-oiled intelligence operation.”
The recapture comes amid a surge of successes by the DSS under its new leadership, which has been fast-tracking prosecutions of terror suspects. Just two months ago, the DSS arraigned five suspects tied to the deadly 2022 Catholic Church attack in Owo, Ondo State.
In another related development, Mahmud Usman, another high-ranking Ansaru commander, was sentenced to 15 years in prison by a Federal High Court in Abuja. He pleaded guilty to illegal mining, which prosecutors say served as a funding source for insurgent activities.
Usman remains in DSS custody as he faces 31 additional terrorism-related charges.
Further legal proceedings hover over Usman’s co-defendant, Abubakar Abba (“Mahmud al-Nigeri”), after their trial was adjourned to November 19, 2025, due to the DSS legal team’s absence.
Obadaki’s recapture marks a high-profile win for Nigeria’s counterterrorism agencies. His role in one of the most notorious sectarian attacks underscores the capacity of intelligence-led operations to neutralize deeply embedded militant figures.
With top Ansaru figures like Obadaki, Usman, and Abba now in custody, the DSS appears to be leveraging its recent operational gains into a robust prosecutorial push. This could erode Ansaru’s command structure and financial networks.
His earlier escape during the Kuje prison break was a major embarrassment for security services. His recapture could serve as a deterrent against future jailbreaks and reinforce the integrity of custodial facilities.
Observers say these developments align with broader national efforts to dismantle terror cells linked to transnational networks. Ansaru, a splinter of Boko Haram, has long been associated with Al-Qaeda ideology, making its leadership particularly strategic for Nigeria’s security apparatus.
They say bringing Obadaki and other commanders fully to justice will require strong evidence, sustained legal will, and protection given the high stakes.
Ansaru or allied cells, it is suggested, may attempt reprisals following the arrest, potentially targeting both security forces and civilians.
A recently leaked advisory by the DSS to two states to be on the alert for terrorist attacks is being cited as one of the pro-active steps to nip reprisal attacks in the bud.
Even without its top leaders, many fear thar Ansaru could regenerate if its financial and recruitment pipelines remain intact.
Analysts recommend that maintaining sustained “well-oiled” intelligence operations is necessary though it is resource-intensive adding that the DSS must guard against complacency or leaks.
The DSS has not yet issued a full public statement, but sources say they are preparing to arraign Obadaki on multiple terrorism charges.
It is believed that the National Security Adviser NSA Nuhu Ribadu, who previously confirmed other Ansaru arrests, may comment in due course, emphasising this as a “turning point.”
Survivors, religious leaders, and human rights advocates may likely also demand transparency and a swift trial to deliver justice to victims’ families.
On August 7, 2012, three gunmen stormed a Deeper Life Bible Church near Okene, Kogi State, during a worship service. Armed with AK-47 rifles, they shot indiscriminately, killing 19 people — including the pastor — and injuring others. Although no group immediately claimed responsibility, Ansaru has since been strongly linked to the attack.
The recapture of Abdulazeez Obadaki, analysts note, is a major win for Nigerian security forces and could mark a turning point in the ongoing fight against Ansaru’s terror network. However, the true test now lies in ensuring a fair, fast, and effective prosecution — one that delivers justice for past victims while deterring future terror.
