Boko Haram: Nigerian Military Confirms the Arrest of  Shekau’s Deputy

The Nigerian military has confirmed the arrest of  the leader of the Ansaru Islamic sect, Khalid Albarnawi, who was described as the second in command to Abubakar Shekau in the hierarchy of the Boko Haram terrorists group.

The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, in response to THISDAY enquiry, confirmed the arrest of the Boko Haram leader by the security forces.

He however noted that further investigations are being carried out and the details will be formally be communicated to the members of the public in due course.

“We have confirmed as the one being arrested. We are sorting it out and looking for full details. The moment we finished our investigation we will inform the members of the public,” he said.

A report by an online portal, The Cable, had on Saturday quoted Ahmad Salkida, a journalist, known for his access to some of the leaders of the Boko Haram as having said that Albarnawi was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Lokoja, Kogi State and moved to Abuja on Friday.

The Ansaru leader, Albarnawi, who reportedly trained in the North African country of Algeria, is believed to highly be influential in the nation’s terror network.