FOLLOWING the clampdown on members of the Boko Haram sect, as a result of a series of attacks in the country, officials of the State Security Service (SSS) in Borno State have confirmed the arrest of Boko Haram’s spokesman, Abul Qaqa in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Investigation by the Nigerian Tribune in Maiduguri, revealed that the arrest was effected via GPS tracking of the top Boko Haram chieftain.

However, there were conflicting reports as to the state where Qaqa was picked up as some security officials said he was arrested in Kaduna, while others claimed he was picked by the SSS on Tuesday evening in Maiduguri.

Also, a top official of the SSS in Borno told newsmen by phone that: “We have finally picked him up and he is currently in our custody. You can report that as a confirmed development.”

It was gathered that Qaqa, who had been speaking on behalf of the Islamic group that identified itself as Jamaatu Ahlil Sunna Lidawati wal Jihad, better known as Boko Haram, is a Nigerian citizen from Kogi State, specifically an Igala native.

Qaqa had been responsible for the issuance of all threats messages from the hideout of the sect, including the ones that preceded bombings of the Police Force headquarters building, the UN building and several other attacks and bombings that took place in some parts of northern Nigeria.

Also a member of the group who spoke by phone to newsmen in Maiduguri on Wednesday confirmed that the chief spokesman for the group had been arrested by the SSS.

It will be recalled that a few days to his arrest, Qaqa, while condemning the arrest of their members in Kano and most recently in Sokoto by the SSS said: “We are not saying that our members caught in active combat should be spared but most of those arrested so far are our brothers that have never participated in the ongoing armed struggle between our group and the Nigerian state. These people are denied the right to go about their daily business.

“We may consider abducting family members of government and security agents, if this continues. We may also consider attacking schools where their children attend if mosques and Qur’anic schools attended by Muslim children in the southern part of the country are bombed again.”

The SSS may have flown him to Abuja for further interrogation.

Comments (6)

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written by Chigozie Canada, February 02, 2012

Just give him life sentence.

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Good
written by HA, February 02, 2012

Good job,SSS.Keep it up.

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Good Work
written by Pastor TOA, February 02, 2012

I just want to appreciate that scientific break-through. Good work, keep it up. I am now convinced that the battle will be over soonest. Keep him safe and no sacred cow. The President should know that there is no dialogue with evil doers. God bless Nigeria.

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Please treat as an individual... We have lost Igalan's who have lost touch with their mother land
written by shehu29, February 02, 2012

"specifically an Igala native" Please let us make reference to the individual not where he hails from. Igala people are peace loving and well respected in Nigeria, they are not terrorist. thank you

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Miss
written by Deyo Omotola, February 02, 2012

We hope he wont escape as others do escape from Police custody.

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Mr
written by Patrick Agbobu, February 02, 2012

Mr Jonathan dialogue with terrorists and you will forfiet and deserve to fofiet your rights and authority to rule, govern or lead Nigeria. Terrorists are very dangerous criminals and they should be trated as such. Mr Jonathan do not be panicked into negotiating with boko haram, by those who at night and unseen are boko haram, but in the open they disguise as very responsible citizens.
As was rightly put religion is the opium or crack of the masses. This bolony was foited on us about 5500 years ago. This world has been inhabited by humans over 350000 years ago and the Universe is about 12 billion or trilion years old. If religion is all that important, why did we get it only about 5500 years ago and what happened to those who lived before religion, did it mean that they would not see The Almighty God or that will not go to Heaven? My simple advice is just love your neigbour as you love yourself and do unto others as you wish it be done to you, as long as you do these things, you are doing the will of The Almighty God and you will definitely go to Heaven. Barmy and bolony religion that is very divicive, political and only my way or nothing is not the answer. There are many roads that lead to The Almighty God and Heaven end of story. Even in so called individual religion there are a lot of hatered and divides. Chirstainity is 1750 years old and Islam is about 1500 years, they are very young compared humans, so give me a brake.

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