- The ISWAP leader was apprehended during an offensive on the enclave of the terrorists in Nigeria north east state of Bauchi.
A leader of Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP) terrorist group has been arrested, the Nigerian military announced on Friday.
The announcement was contained in statement issued by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba.
The Defence Headquarters said the ISWAP leader was arrested by men of the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services, DSS.
Although the DHQ didn’t reveal the name, it said the arrested ISWAP leader was in charge of North Central and North West zones.
According to the statement, the ISWAP leader was apprehended during an offensive on the enclave of the terrorists in Nigeria north east state of Bauchi Bauchi.
According to the military high command, the arrest of the ISWAP leader was part of troops’ efforts at “targeting the leadership of terrorist groups to ensure they pose no further threat to the safety and security of citizens”.
A statement by Buba reads partly: “Troops are targeting the leadership of these groups to ensure they pose no further threat to the safety and security of citizens.
“Significantly, on 29 Nov 23, at Tarum Village located on the outside of Bauchi Metropolis in Bauchi State.
“Troops collaborated with personnel of DSS to conduct a sting operation that culminated in the arrest of the leader of ISWAP terrorist group in charge of North Central and North West Zones.
“He is in custody. Similarly, air interactions have been conducted on several enclaves of these terrorist leaders in the NW and NC zones with much success.”