The Department of State Security (DSS) has officially arraigned Abdulmalik Abdulazeez Obadaki, identified as the suspected mastermind behind the devastating 2012 gun attack on a Deeper Life Bible Church in Otite, near Okene, Kogi State. This significant development marks a crucial step towards justice for the victims and survivors of an incident that claimed the lives of over 19 worshippers.

The horrific attack occurred on the morning of August 7, 2012, when three armed men, reportedly wielding AK-47 assault rifles, opened fire on a Bible study session. Fifteen worshippers were killed instantly, and four others later succumbed to injuries sustained during the assault, bringing the total fatalities to at least nineteen. Several dozens more were injured in the attack, which security agencies believe to be the handiwork of the Ansaru terrorist group.

Following the church attack, Obadaki was allegedly involved in further criminal activities. Reports indicate he led a gang that subsequently raided five commercial banks in Uromi, Edo State. This operation resulted in the deaths of several persons and the theft of substantial sums of cash, further cementing his notoriety.

Obadaki was eventually apprehended by security forces and remanded at the Kuje Prison. However, his detention was cut short when he managed to escape during the extensive jailbreak at the Kuje Custodial Centre in July 2022, a setback that undoubtedly disheartened those awaiting justice.

A critical breakthrough in the pursuit of justice came on November 15, 2025, when the DSS announced the successful recapture of the fugitive Ansaru leader. Just six days later, on November 21, 2025, the secret police arraigned Obadaki before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja. He faces a comprehensive six-count charge encompassing serious offenses such as terrorism, conspiracy, aiding attacks, concealment of information, and escape from lawful custody.

During the court proceedings, when the charges were formally read, Obadaki pleaded guilty only to count six, which specifically addresses the offense of escaping from lawful custody. Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the high-profile case to January 26, 2026, and mandated that the defendant remain in the custody of the DSS pending the next hearing.

The re-arrest and swift arraignment of Obadaki have been met with profound relief and gratitude by the families of the victims and survivors, as well as the wider community of Otite. Community leaders expressed that they had