Local security volunteer group known as Civilian JTF in Konduga LGA, Borno State have claimed that it had arrested a notorious Boko Haram kingpin, popularly known as Bashir Sarkin Yanka, (means Bashir the King of Slaughter in Hausa).

The arrested suspect was reported to have confessed to the Civilian JTF that he had acted as Boko Haram leader, Shekau, in some videos and was responsible for the death of his (Bashir’s) mother, two sisters and brother apart from engaging in mass slaughter.

However, spokesperson of Operation Lafiya Dole in the North-East, Air Commodore Dele Alonge, said the military could not confirm the arrest of the Shekau’s actor yet.

“As you are aware, the Nigerian military has succeeded in routing out terrorists from some of their hideouts in the North-East, and, in the process, some were eliminated and others had been arrested.

“We cannot at the moment provide the identities of those in our custody or in other places until after we have conducted thorough investigations,” he said.

Speaking further, he said the military arrested two suspects, Audu Umar and Hassan Umar for smuggling themselves among the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) brought from Pulka to Gwoza IDPs Camp in Borno State.


Tribune