Top Boko Haram terrorist arrested in Ekiti
By Ajibade Ajayi
A top commander of Boko Haram has been tracked down and arrested in Ekiti State, Western Nigeria.
Irohinoodua was informed that the arrest of the top commander was a product of many months of surveillance by undercover agents that mapped out coordinated intelligence that led to his arrest.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ekiti State Command, said Isiah Jafaru, aka Nabida fled from the North East following persistent onslaught by the Nigerian Army which has largely displaced many of the terrorists.
A security source told Irohinoodua Nadiba is an expert in guerilla warfare and was also trained in explosives. The source said he was trained in Algeria and Somalia and has been part of many terrorists operations in the North East and Chad. The source said he believed he is one of those leading attempts to set up cells or has already set up cells in the South West.
“There is the fear that Boko Haram has sleeping cells in the South West. This fellow is likely to be one of those responsible for its coordination. It’s a wake up call. We don’t know how many of them remain unknown or undiscovered in the South West,” he said adding that the kidnapping in Ekiti, Kogi and Kwara axis may not be unconnected with the terrorists.
There is a suspicion in security circle that he may be coordinating a terrorist cell in the South West.
The suspect picked up at Iloro Ekiti after security operatives tracked him following his suspicions activities.
The NSCDC spokesman, Ekiti command, SC Afolabi Tolulope, said a first hand investigation indicated that the suspect is a top rank member of the terrorist group.
He was said to have relocated to Iloro Ekiti where he coordinates other members of the group were scattered across Ekiti State.
The state Commandant, Dr. Sosina Paul, explained that the command’s intelligence and Counter Terrorism Unit began investigation following tip off and a well coordinated intelligence network mounted by the command in collaboration with other security services.
There has been fear that some of the terrorists are regrouping in the South West
The said security operatives are hunting for fleeing terrorists with a view to stopping them from regrouping in Ekiti State.
Dr. Sosina said that the command will ensure Ekiti is free from any attempt. Y the insurgents to regroup or use Ekiti as their new hub.
The NSCDC, he said will hand over the suspect to the Department of State Security Service (DSS) for further investigation.
He said “Our traditional rulers and other land owners should be careful of those that are making use of their land especially forests that cannot be assessed easily by the people,” he added.
He asked Ekiti people to report any suspicious person or group of persons to the nearest security agency.
The Police have also warned about traditional rulers giving land to suspicious chapters who may end up threatening the peace and wellbeing of the people of the state.
