Nigeria kidnappings: Military arrests ‘terrorist’ linked to abductions of over 200 schoolgirls by Boko Haram

Nigeria’s military has infiltrated Boko Haram’s intelligence network and arrested a businessman who “participated actively” in the mass abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls.

Major General Chris Olukolade said in a statement that Babuji Ya’ari belonged to a vigilante group fighting Boko Haram and used that membership as cover “while remaining an active terrorist”. He said information yielded by Mr Ya’ari’s detention has led to the arrests of two women: Haj Kaka, a suspected spy who procured arms for the extremists, and Hafsat Bako, described as a “paymaster”. Ms Bako told soldiers that operatives are paid at least 10,000 naira (about £50) depending on the task.

In its statement the military accused Mr Ya’ari of “spearheading” last month’s assassination of the emir of Gwoza, the head of a royal family in the north-eastern state of Borno, and of co-ordinating attacks that have killed hundreds in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno and birthplace of Boko Haram. “A terrorist intelligence cell headed by a businessman who participated actively in the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok has been busted by troops,” the statement said.

In the past week, Boko Haram has been blamed for an explosion in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, that killed at least 24 people and wounded dozens; the bombing of a medical school in the northern city of Kano that killed at least eight people; an attack at a military camp that survivors said killed at least 51 soldiers; and attacks on villages in the north-east.

Today, a bomb exploded near the market in Maiduguri leaving dozens feared dead. Witnesses said a suicide bomber detonated explosives hidden in a van. Other witnesses said they saw about 50 bodies, and that five cars and some tricycle taxis were set ablaze by the explosion.

AP