Boko Haram: Civilian JTF arrests Shekau’s suspected impostor

Boko Haram: Civilian JTF arrests Shekau's suspected impostor

ON FEBRUARY 22, 2016 VANGUARD
By Kingsley Omonobi

Abuja — As the battle for the final clear out of Boko Haram remnants continues in the North East, the local security volunteer group, known as Civilian JTF, in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, yesterday, claimed it had arrested a notorious Boko Haram kingpin, named Bashir.

The Civilian JTF noted that the Boko Haram kingpin, popularly called Bashir Sarkin Yanka, which in Hausa means "Bashir the King of Slaughter" had been the terrorist acting as Abubakar Shekau in some videos on the social media.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian military, yesterday, said it was yet to confirm the speculation over the arrest of the Boko Haram kingpin.

A statement signed by Air Commodore Dele Alonge from the Information Office of Operation Lafiya Dole also disclosed that two suspected Boko haram members, who infiltrated an IDPs camp, have been arrested.

The statement read: "The Nigerian military has 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.

"The male suspects, who gave their names as Audu Umar and Hassan Umar are undergoing interrogation by the military and intelligence operatives.

"Meanwhile, the Nigerian military is yet to confirm the speculation over an arrest of Boko Haram kingpin, popularly known as Bashir Sarkin Yanka, which in Hausa means "Bashir the King of Slaughter."

The spokesperson of Operation Lafiya Dole in the North-East, Air Commodore Dele Alonge, said the military cannot confirm the arrest of Shekau's actor even as the military has sustained its counter-insurgency operations where some terrorists have been eliminated and others apprehended in the North-East.

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 slaughtering.
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