Abuja, Nigeria—Operatives of the Department of State Services have arrested Shafiu Usman, the alleged mastermind of the Dec. 14, 2025, attack on ECWA Church Ayetoro in Ayetoro, Kogi State, during which more than 20 worshippers were kidnapped, security sources said on Feb. 27, 2026. The suspect was apprehended at a hideout in Gombe State after reportedly fleeing the state following the attack.

Security sources who spoke with Daily Trust said Usman was tracked and arrested by DSS operatives while attempting to evade capture.

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According to the sources, Usman confessed during interrogation to orchestrating the Ayetoro church attack and other kidnapping operations across Niger, Kwara and Kogi states. He also allegedly admitted involvement in banditry and cattle rustling.

“Shafiu admitted to involvement in kidnapping, banditry and cattle rustling. He said Ibrahim Battijo supplied him with arms and ammunition,” one security source said.

The suspect reportedly identified Ibrahim Dange Battijo as an accomplice, describing him as a bandit operating across Niger, Kwara, Kogi and Zamfara states.

“After the Kogi attack, Usman fled to Gombe, but DSS operatives trailed and arrested him,” the source added.

Security officials said the arrest highlights the agency’s ongoing efforts against banditry and terrorism.

“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 source said.

As of press time, the Department of State Services had not issued an official statement on the arrest.