JTF Arrests Boko Haram Commander

The Joint Task Force (JTF) “Operation Restore Order,” says that it has apprehended Mohammed Zangina, a suspected Boko Haram commander, in Maiduguri.

JTF spokesman, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, said this via a statement yesterday in Maiduguri. Musa said that Zangina was arrested after an operation at the Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Maiduguri.

“The JTF has arrested a high-profile Boko Haram commander and `Shura’ Committee member at about 12:30 p.m. yesterday. He was arrested in GRA, Maiduguri,” he said.

Musa said that Zangina was in Maiduguri to plan for series of attacks before he was captured. “He came to Maiduguri to plan several deadly attacks against civilians and security personnel.

“Zangina, a.k.a Malam Abdullahi, is often referred to as Alhaji Musa. He is the leader of Boko Haram in the north-central part of the country; he is the coordinator of most of the suicide attacks and bombings in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Jos and Potiskum.

“He is a key member of the `Shura’ Committee of the Boko Haram terrorists and he is among those declared wanted. A bounty of N25 million was placed on him by the JTF in November last year,” he said.

Musa said that Zangina had survived numerous attempts to capture him before he was eventually arrested in Maiduguri.

Meanwhile , former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, has called on the government to engage in dialogue with the Boko Haram sect to end the insecurity in Northern Nigeria.

Abubakar made the call at the graduation ceremony at Abdulsalami Abubakar Institute for Peace and Sustainable Development Studies, Minna.

“Today, the cycle of blood-letting, the brutal termination of lives of innocent and defenceless Nigerians should not be tolerated,” he said.

Abubakar said dialogue between the Federal Government and Boko Haram was the only way to tackle the current security challenges in the North.

Abubakar said the institution, which was affiliated to University of Jos, would promote African conflict transformation, development methodologies and equip students with the intellectual and practical skills to prevent conflict.

“It will remain focused on its mission and mandate in the coming years to play its vital role that will continuously be a platform for transforming conflicts for human security and sustainable development,” he said.

The former head of state, who is the Chairman, Governing Council of the Institution, congratulated the graduands and urged them to strive and excel in ensuring transparency and accountability toward sustainable peace and development.

Gov. Gabriel Suswan of Benue in his speech called for dialogue between Boko Haram and the Federal Government to resolve the security challenges. He said the crisis was grinding economic activities in the region to a halt. He said political leaders and opinion leaders in the North should work together to address the crisis to avert future catastrophe.

He described it as a serious crisis that required the support of all northerners to tackle.

About N60 million was realised at the launch of the endowment fund of the institute with Niger and Rivers donating N20 million each.

Imo and Benue donated N10 million each. Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger, Gov Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers, Suswan and Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo were honoured with the fellowship of the institute.