Mastermind of Chibok abduction nabbed

DIRECTOR, Defence Information, Major-General Chris Olukolade, on Monday, disclosed that the mastermind of the abduction of schoolgirls in Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State and head of a terrorists’ intelligence cell, Babuji Ya’ari, has been nabbed by the Nigerian Army.

 According to the release, Babuji, who disguises as a member of youth vigilance group, known as Civilian JTF, participated actively in the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok and spearheaded the murder of the Emir of Gwoza.
Babuji, whose main role in the Civilian JTF is to spy and gather information for the terrorist group, has also been at the forefront of several deadly attacks in Maiduguri since 2011, including the daring attacks on customs and military locations, as well as the planting of improvised explosive devices in several locations in the town.
It was further disclosed that the businessman, known to deal in tricycles, had yielded some vital information and facilitated the arrest of other members of the terrorists’ intelligence cell, mostly women.

Another member of the terrorists group, Hafsat Bako, who had earlier escaped to Gombe State to avoid suspicion, was also tracked and arrested.
Prior to her arrest, Hafsat coordinated the payment of other operatives on the payroll of the group.
In her confession, she disclosed that a minimum of N10,000 is paid to each operative, depending on the enormity of the task.
Another female suspect, Haj Kaka, who doubles as an armourer and a spy for the terrorists group, according to Olukolade, was also arrested.
Prior to their arrest, he said the suspects actively operated a terrorists’ intelligence cell in collaboration with others still at large.
The defence spokesman also said troops deployed in Goniri, Yobe State, at the weekend, had an encounter with terrorists, resulting in casualties on both sides after the attack was successfully repelled.