Security Forces Burst Boko Haram Intelligence Network

Security forces have bust a Boko Haram intelligence cell headed by a businessman, Babuji Ya’ari, who participated actively in the abduction of over 200 school girls in Chibok in April, 2014.

Ya’ari who is also a member of the Youth Vigilante Group popularly known as Civilian JTF which he used as cover while remaining an active terrorist, also spearheaded the murder of the Emir of Gwoza.

A statement by the Director, Defense Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade in Abuja on Monday, said the suspect’s main role in the group was to spy and gather information for the terrorists group.

“Babuji has been coordinating several deadly attacks in Maiduguri since 2011, including the daring attacks on Customs and military locations as well as the planting of IEDs in several locations in the town,” it said.

Olukolade said the arrest of the businessman who is known to deal in tricycles, has also yielded some vital information and facilitated the arrest of other members of the terrorists’ intelligence cell who are women.

He stated that one of them, Hafsat Bako had earlier escaped to Gombe State to avoid suspicion but was tracked and arrested.

According to him, prior to her arrest, Bako coordinated the payment of other operatives on the payroll of the group, adding that in her confession, she disclosed that a minimum of N10,000 is paid to each operative depending on the enormity of his task.

Olukolade said, “Another female suspect named Haj Kaka who doubles as an armourer and a spy for the terrorists group has also been arrested.

“Until their arrest, all the suspects actively operated a terrorists’ intelligence cell in collaboration with others still at large.”

In another development, troops deployed in Goniri, Yobe State, had an encounter with terrorists, resulting in casualties on both sides after the attack was successfully repelled.