The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has confirmed the arrest of a suspected high-ranking Boko Haram member, Isah Jafaru, alias “Nabida,” in Iloro Ekiti.
This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by Afolabi Tolulope, the spokesperson for the Ekiti command of the NSCDC.
Jafaru, who was reportedly on the run from the north-east, was apprehended following a manhunt launched due to his suspicious activities in the community.
According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is a senior operative of the terrorist group and had relocated to Iloro Ekiti alongside other scattered members of the group.
Oluwaseun Sosina, the NSCDC commandant in Ekiti, stressed the agency’s commitment to ensuring the safety of residents, especially during the festive season.
Sosina noted that the suspect will be transferred to the Department of State Security (DSS) for further investigation.
“The command’s intelligence and counterterrorism unit are moving out in search of these miscreants with a view to stopping them from regrouping in Ekiti state while the command will cooperate with other paramilitary agencies to make sure that the state remains peaceful during, before, and after this festive season.
“In the spirit of synergy, the command will hand over the suspect to the Department of State Security Service for further investigation to pave the way for the arrest of others who are currently in that axis and other parts of the state,” Sosina said.
The NSCDC pledged to work in collaboration with other security agencies to maintain peace and security across Ekiti State.
The commandant also urged residents to remain vigilant, particularly in remote areas, and to report any suspicious individuals or activities to security agencies immediately.
“We call on citizens to support our efforts by providing timely information that could help apprehend other criminals in hiding,” he added.
