Just In: Top Boko Haram commander nabbed in Ekiti, exposing possible terrorist cell in South West

December 06, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

A top commander of the notorious Boko Haram terrorist group, Isah Jafaru, also known as “Nabida”, has been arrested in Ekiti State, Western Nigeria.

This breakthrough is the result of months of surveillance by undercover agents who gathered coordinated intelligence leading to his capture.

According to report reaching The Yoruba Times on Fryday, Nabida fled from the North East due to the persistent onslaught by the Nigerian Army, which has largely displaced many terrorists.

A security source revealed that Nabida is an expert in guerilla warfare and explosives, trained in Algeria and Somalia, and has been involved in numerous terrorist operations in the North East and Chad.

The source expressed concerns that Nabida might be leading efforts to establish terrorist cells in the South West, stating, “There is the fear that Boko Haram has sleeping cells in the South West. This fellow is likely to be one of those responsible for its coordination. It’s a wake-up call. We don’t know how many of them remain unknown or undiscovered in the South West.”

The suspect was apprehended in Iloro Ekiti after security operatives tracked him due to his suspicious activities.

The NSCDC spokesman, Ekiti command, SC Afolabi Tolulope, confirmed that a preliminary investigation indicated Nabida is a top-ranking member of the terrorist group.

Nabida was said to have relocated to Iloro Ekiti, where he coordinated other members of the group scattered across Ekiti State.

The state Commandant, Dr. Sosina Paul, explained that the command’s intelligence and Counter Terrorism Unit began investigating after receiving a tip-off and mounting a well-coordinated intelligence network in collaboration with other security services.

Dr. Sosina warned that some terrorists might be regrouping in the South West and assured that the command will ensure Ekiti remains free from any attempts by insurgents to regroup or use the state as their new hub. The NSCDC will hand over the suspect to the Department of State Security Service (DSS) for further investigation.

Dr. Sosina advised traditional rulers and landowners to be cautious of individuals using their land, especially in hard-to-reach forest areas. He urged Ekiti residents to report any suspicious persons or groups to the nearest security agency.

The Police have also warned traditional rulers against giving land to suspicious individuals who might threaten the peace and well-being of the state’s people.