Security agencies have moved a suspected Boko
Haram leader, Babuji Ya’ari, who was alleged to be one of the masterminds of
the kidnap of female pupils from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno
State on April 14, 2014, to Abuja
Investigations by our correspondents on Wednesday
showed that the Boko Haram leader was moved to Abuja early this week from his
Maiduguri base, where he was arrested.
He said that security agencies were trying to get
from him, information that could assist in the release of the girls, who had
been in Boko Haram custody for more than 70 days.
The source stated, “I can tell you that the
suspect has been moved to Abuja. He was brought to Abuja early this week. He is
being interrogated in connection with the abduction of the girls.
“What is important to the Federal Government now
is how to secure the release of the girls. He has made useful information that
will assist security agencies.”
According to the source, the General Officer
Commanding 7th Division, Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. M.Y. Ibrahim, was also at
the Defence Headquarters for a strategic security meeting, which might not be
unconnected with the arrest of Ya’ari and the ongoing investigation into the
abduction of the Chibok girls.
The suspect, who was said to be a businessman,
was reported to be under intense interrogation, and he is expected to provide
vital information on how the abduction was carried out, and give a clue on the
location of the girls in Sambisa Forest and other hideouts where the girls were
being kept.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen.
Chris Olukolade, could not be reached for comments last night as he did not
respond to calls to his phone. Also a text message sent to him on the transfer
of the terror kingpin did not elicit a response.
But Olukolade had in a statement on Monday
identified Ya’ari, as a leader of a youth vigilance group, popularly known as
the Civilian JTF.
He had said that Ya’ari used his membership of
the Civilian JTF to gather information to aid the activities of the insurgents.
Olukolade said Ya’ari also spearheaded the murder
of the Emir of Gwoza, Idrissa Timta, who was killed by insurgents at Tesan
Alade, along the Biu-Garkida Road on May 30, 2014.
He said that the arrested Boko Haram spy chief
was responsible for the coordination of several devastating attacks on military
formations and the detonation of several bombs in Maiduguri since 2011.
The statement partly read, “A terrorists’
intelligence cell headed by a businessman who participated actively in the
abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok has been busted by troops.
“The man, Babuji Ya’ari, who is also a member of
the Youth Vigilante Group, popularly known as Civilian JTF, which he uses as
cover while remaining an active terrorist, also spearheaded the murder of the
Emir of Gwoza.
“His main role in the group is to spy and gather
information for the terrorist group.
“Babuji has been coordinating several deadly
attacks in Maiduguri since 2011, including the daring attacks on Customs and
military locations as well as the planting of IEDs in several locations in the
town.”
Olukolade said that the businessman gave the
information that led to the arrest of some female members of the cell,
including one Hafsat Bako, who was said to have escaped to Gombe State to avoid
being arrested but was tracked down by security agents.
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