DSS nabs top Boko Haram commander
Mon Apr 04, 2016 02:25:pm National
3.3K By sosa hills
Ahmad Salkida, a journalist known for his access to top Boko Haram commanders, says the Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested Khalid Albarnawi, a top leader of the Ansaru sect which recently reunited with Boko Haram.
The journalist disclosed this in his tweeter handle where he said the ‘catch' by the secret police could be the biggest feat against the insurgent group since the war against terrorism began.
Albarnawi was a top leader of the Ansaru sect, a splinter group of Boko Haram established in 2012, which recently reunited with Boko Haram. The arrested kingpin, considered in counter terrorism circles, "as important as Abubakar Shekau", was reportedly arrested in Lokoja, Kogi state, and later moved to Abuja on Friday.
Salkida noted that Albarnawi is regarded as the most influential member of Nigeria's terror network, having contacts with other terrorist groups in North Africa and the Middle East and is believed to have reconciled with the leader of Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP), also known as Boko Haram.
Salkida's tweets on the arrest, posted Friday read "The security source said, the DSS arrested Khalid Albarnawi of Ansaru, who is believed to have reconciled with the leader of ISWAP today.
"If true, the arrest of Barnawi is one of the biggest.
An official of the DSS Tony Opuiyo who has been the link between the security agency and the media, could not be reached for official confirmation of the arrest.
A military source who declined to disclose his name said the report could be true since it was posted by Salkida.
The journalist disclosed this in his tweeter handle where he said the ‘catch' by the secret police could be the biggest feat against the insurgent group since the war against terrorism began.
Albarnawi was a top leader of the Ansaru sect, a splinter group of Boko Haram established in 2012, which recently reunited with Boko Haram. The arrested kingpin, considered in counter terrorism circles, "as important as Abubakar Shekau", was reportedly arrested in Lokoja, Kogi state, and later moved to Abuja on Friday.
Salkida noted that Albarnawi is regarded as the most influential member of Nigeria's terror network, having contacts with other terrorist groups in North Africa and the Middle East and is believed to have reconciled with the leader of Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP), also known as Boko Haram.
Salkida's tweets on the arrest, posted Friday read "The security source said, the DSS arrested Khalid Albarnawi of Ansaru, who is believed to have reconciled with the leader of ISWAP today.
"If true, the arrest of Barnawi is one of the biggest.
An official of the DSS Tony Opuiyo who has been the link between the security agency and the media, could not be reached for official confirmation of the arrest.
A military source who declined to disclose his name said the report could be true since it was posted by Salkida.
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