The Department of State Services has recaptured Abdulazeez Obadaki, a top commander of the Ansaru terrorist group who escaped during the Kuje prison break. Obadaki is believed to have masterminded a mass shooting at a church in Okene. The arrest marks a significant development in efforts to curb terrorism in Nigeria.
The Department of State Services (DSS) announced the recapture of Abdulazeez Obadaki, identified as a key figure in the Ansaru terrorist group. Obadaki had fled during the 2022 Kuje prison break, a major security incident in Abuja that allowed several inmates, including high-profile terrorists, to escape.
According to reports, Obadaki is suspected of orchestrating a mass shooting at a church in Okene, Kogi State, highlighting his role in violent attacks against civilians. The DSS described him as a top commander within Ansaru, a Boko Haram splinter group known for kidnappings and assaults in central Nigeria.
The recapture underscores ongoing operations to re-arrest fugitives from the Kuje incident, which exposed vulnerabilities in Nigeria's correctional facilities. No further details on the location or circumstances of Obadaki's arrest were provided in the announcements. This development comes amid heightened security measures in response to persistent terrorist activities in the region.