Storytimes Newspapers

  A senior Department of State Services (DSS) investigator on Tuesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the suspects accused in the June 5, 2022, terrorist attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, were deliberately funded, armed, and mobilised by their handlers. Testifying as the 9th prosecution witness under a protective identity (coded as SSI), the deputy director in charge of terrorism investigations—who led the DSS probe into the incident—detailed how the attackers, linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), executed the assault that left at least 41 worshippers dead and over 140 injured during a Pentecost Sunday Mass. According to the witness, intelligence and technical tracking traced the perpetrators to an ISWAP cell operating across Okene and Adavi Local Government Areas in Kogi State, as well as Omielafa and Omielege in Ose LGA of Ondo State. The cell was coordinated by a commander known as "Odoba," who issued direct ord...

  Bandits holding 166 worshippers abducted from churches in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have escalated their demands, insisting on a ransom of ₦250 million and 20 motorcycles before freeing the victims. The Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, revealed the latest conditions set by the kidnappers in a statement reported on January 27, 2026. According to the traditional ruler, the bandits contacted the community directly, linking their demands to an earlier accusation that residents had stolen 17 motorcycles allegedly lost during military operations in the area. “The bandits called and said Kurmin Wali community must pay ₦250 million and provide 20 motorcycles before they will release the kidnapped worshippers,” Dan’azumi stated. The mass abduction occurred on Sunday, January 18, 2026, when armed attackers raided three churches—branches of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and Cherubim and Seraphim—during services in Iburu Di...