Boko Haram's "Operational Commander” And 5 Others Arrested!

A MAN who security agents have described as the "operational commander" of Boko Haram has been arrested in Borno State.

Ali Saleh and five others are being held, even as security agencies are trailing more suspected members of the Islamic fundamentalist sect.

But, Saleh's status seems controversial, with the claim in some quarters that the suspect is a mere gun runner.

The government has not ruled out peace talks with the sect, despite its rejection of dialogue.

Saleh was arrested alongside some members of the sect by the Joint Task Force (JTF) after an attack on some buildings on Baga Road in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Governor Kashim Shettima confirmed the arrest of the Boko Haram chiefs yesterday.

He told the Associated Press in an interview that with the arrests," I believe the worst is over".

The governor said Boko Haram maintains a loose command-and-control structure, which allows groups to operate autonomously.

"They operate in some sort of cells, some sort of units that the interlinked, but generally, they take directives from one commander," Shettima said.

The governor said a negotiated peace could be reached between the government and the sect.

But, he warned that those who continue with assassinations and bombings will be hunted down.

A highly placed source, who spoke in confidence, said the attack that led to Saleh's arrest occurred about three weeks ago and the JTF operatives combed the area and arrested the suspects.

"It was during interrogation that the JTF discovered that Saleh is an operational commander of the sect," said the source.

"We have to crosscheck our information on Saleh with the members of the sect in custody with him and with other intelligence networks to ascertain that he is a key member of the leadership of the sect.

"It is safe to say that we have an operational commander of Boko Haram with the JTF and some members of the sect under his command."

Saleh and some of those arrested are said to have confirmed their involvement in some of the bombings in the country.

"We are still interrogating them and we are on the trail of others too," the source said.

Another source, however, said: "I think it is too early to say that Saleh is a Boko Haram leader. Based on local intelligence, some are claiming that he is a notorious gun runner in Borno State.

"Saleh was arrested, following a tip-off by some people.

"And you cannot dispute the claim of the locals because they know themselves. Whatever is the status of Saleh and relationship with Boko Haram, it is the duty of security agencies to tell the nation."

Source: Nation