The Department of State Services (DSS) has brought a suspected terrorist leader to court for his alleged role in a deadly assault on a church in Kogi State over a decade ago. Abdulmalik Abdulmalik Obadaki, identified as a leader of the Ansaru terrorist group, was arraigned on multiple charges related to the 2012 attack that claimed the lives of 19 worshippers.
The Horrific 2012 Church Massacre
The case stems from a tragic incident on the morning of August 7, 2012. According to the charges, three armed men stormed a Bible study session at the Deeper Life Bible Church in Otite, near Okene, Kogi State. The assailants, wielding AK-47 rifles, opened fire on the congregation in an unprovoked attack.
When the shooting stopped, fifteen worshippers were dead at the scene. The violence did not end there, as four more victims later succumbed to the injuries they sustained, bringing the final death toll to nineteen. Dozens of other church members were left injured in the brutal assault, which security agencies attributed to the Ansaru terrorist faction.
A Fugitive's Criminal Trail and Capture
Following the church attack, Obadaki's alleged criminal activities escalated. He is accused of leading a gang that later carried out a series of violent bank robberies in Uromi, Edo State. During these raids, several people were killed, and the gang made off with large sums of money.
Security forces eventually tracked down and arrested Obadaki, leading to his remand at the Kuje Prison. However, his time in custody was short-lived. He managed to escape during the infamous jailbreak at the Kuje Custodial Centre in July 2022, joining the ranks of high-profile fugitives.
The DSS announced a major breakthrough on November 15, 2025, confirming they had successfully recaptured the fugitive Ansaru leader after more than three years on the run.
Court Arraignment and Charges
Just six days after his recapture, on November 21, 2025, the secret police brought Obadaki before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He faced a six-count charge that detailed a range of serious offences.
The charges against him include:
- Terrorism
- Conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism
- Aiding terrorist attacks
- Concealment of information related to terrorist acts
- Escape from lawful custody
When the charges were read in court, Obadaki entered a plea of guilty only to the sixth count, which specifically related to his escape from the Kuje facility. He did not plead guilty to the other terrorism-related counts.
Justice Abdulmalik has adjourned the case to January 26, 2026 for further proceedings. The judge ordered that the defendant remain in the custody of the DSS until the next hearing date.
This arraignment marks a significant step in the long-delayed pursuit of justice for the victims and families affected by the 2012 church massacre. It also highlights the ongoing efforts by Nigeria's security agencies to apprehend and prosecute individuals linked to major terrorist activities and violent crimes across the country.
