Suspected Boko Haram Leader, Reportedly Nabbed

A suspected local leader of deadly Islamic sect, Boko Haram has allegedly, been arrested and several weapons including rocket launchers seized from him, in his home in the town of Diffa in southern Niger Republic yesterday, security sources said.There has been no official confirmation of the arrest from the Nigerian Army, yet.

The town on the Nigerian border has come under attack from the militants this past week, since Chad deployed hundreds of troops in the area as part of a regional effort to tackle Boko Haram.

The man was identified as Kaka Bonou, a trader known to authorities for suspected involvement in trafficking stolen goods, the security source said.

“Different type of weapons of all calibre including rocket launchers, were found in his house,” one of the Niger military sources told Reuters, requesting to remain anonymous.

It would be recalled that security challenges posed by the sect had lead to the shift of the general elections in the country. This had been preceded by a regional joint force of Nigerian soldiers with the armies of neighbouring countries Niger and Chad, towards defeating the insurgents.

However, in another viral video, the sect leader, Abubakar Shekau had threatened to defeat the Joint Force and other such forces that dared his group to battle. Earlier in the week, the Nigerian soldiers launched an onslaught into the dreaded Sambisa Forest hideout of the islamist sect.