Boko Haram Vigilantes arrest terrorist who ‘acted as Shekau’ in sect’s videos

Boko Haram Vigilantes arrest terrorist who ‘acted as Shekau’ in sect’s videos

The local vigilante group, Civilian Joint Task Force claims that it has arrested a member of Boko Haram who allegedly posed as the sect’s leader, Abubakar Shekau in some of its videos. The suspect is said to be a kingpin of the sect known as Bashir Sarkin Yanka, Hausa for “Bashir the King of Slaughter,” Vanguard reports. Bashir is to have confessed to the Civilian JTF that he impersonated Shekau in some videos and participated in the killings of his own mother, two sisters and brother. The Nigerian Army has however said that it is yet to confirm reports of the arrest. The Army’s position was disclosed by the spokesperson of the anti-terrorist force, Operation Lafiya Dole, Air Commodore Dele Alonge via a statement. The statement reads: “The Nigerian military has arrested two suspects, Audu Umar and Hassan Umar, for smuggling themselves among the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) brought from Pulka to Gwoza IDPs camp in Borno State.” “The male suspects, who gave their names as Audu Umar and Hassan Umar are undergoing interrogation by the military and intelligence operatives.” “Meanwhile, the Nigerian military is yet to confirm the speculation over an arrest of Boko Haram kingpin, popularly known as Bashir Sarkin Yanka, which in Hausa means “Bashir the King of Slaughter.” The Boko Haram leader was last heard from in March 2015 when he pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS) via an audio statement.