Boko Haram Top Commander, Abakar Ali, Captured In Cameroon

One of the top commanders of the dreaded Boko Haram sect, identified as Abakar Ali, has been captured by Cameroonian soldiers.

According to a reliable source of SaharaReporters, the armed forces of Nigeria’s neighbours have also recovered a huge cache of arms, ammunition and equipment from the Islamist fighters in the course of the operation.

Abakar Ali, also known as “Mustapher Umar” had the following weapons in his possession:  5 machine guns, 14 rifles, 4 rocket launchers, 24 rockets, 6 Kalashnikov (AK) assault rifles, 60 magazines for Kalashnikovs  (AKs), 4 automatic pistols. As concerns the ammunition then it included over 500 9mm ammo, 469 12.7mm bullets, 4,454 7.62 mm ammunition, 1,491 5.56 mm ammunition, 822 ammunition of 7.62 mm, 6 grenades, 28 rocket launcher chargers.

Among the seized accessories for military purposes the army found pincers, tweezers and knives.

[caption id="attachment_3975" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Some terrorist suspects arrested during the raid. Photo: PRNigeria[/caption]

The information above has been conveyed to the reporters via telephone by a mid-level Nigerian military officer, who is serving with a multi-national force. The force operates in a strategic area close the Nigeria-Cameroon border.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Troops Rout Terrorists In Benisheikh And Konduga

The officer informed that Cameroonian soldiers captured Boko Haram commander Ali along with two other sect members in the northern Cameroonian town of Kousseri.

It has been further learnt that Ali coordinated and led terrorist’s attacks in the border towns between Nigeria and Cameroon. The arrested Boko Haram commander was travelling between distant insurgent’s camps in the area, planned strategic moves and gave orders to initiate devastating attacks that targeted mostly civilians.

 READ ALSO: Boko Haram Members Fight For Leadership, 30 Killed

The Nigerian officer stated that the Cameroonian military was expected to share intelligence with their Nigerian counterparts regarding any confessions made by the captured terrorist during interrogation. He added that Nigerian security agencies are likely to learn more about Mr. Ali’s linkages with others in Boko Haram’s cells in Nigeria’s northeast area.

It would be noted that the Nigerian Army might have scored a decisive point in a war against Boko Haram after liquidating Shekau’s imposter: the man who was playing the role of the mysterious leader of the sect in all the latest videos by terrorists.

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FG Confirms Recapture Of Bama

The Nigerian authorities officially confirmed that the military had taken over Bama, recently captured by Boko Haram insurgents.

[caption id="attachment_973" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Nigerian soldiers[/caption]

This comes after controversial reports have been provided on the current status of the Borno State town. Yesterday it was made known that following a week of violent fights over Bama, military finally prevailed, forcing insurgents out of the area. It was allegedly claimed by several sources.

However the next day one Abu Zinnira, believed to be spokesman of the sect, said Bama was under control of Boko Haram.

According to Channels TV, today the Federal Government through the coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mr Mike Omeri, confirmed the recapture of Bama and also assured Nigerians that the military had enhanced counter-terrorism operations in towns Boko Haram allegedly challenged soldiers.

Additionally, Omeri urged Nigerians to restrain from buying pre-registered SIM cards and used phones, as it might pose security challenges to the nation.

The dreaded terrorist sect is believed to have employed new tactics. This became evident after Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau had released the new video last month, in which he declared the captured Gwoza town part of Islamic Caliphate. Soon the insurgents seized several towns in the North-East in what is believed to be the attempt to expand the caliphate.

The rapid advancement forced thousands of people and flee their homes. However the Nigerian military reportedly continued fight and deployed country’s warplanes to launch heavy airstrikes and return Bama. Some areas are said to be still controlled by Boko Haram.

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ISIS Advises Boko Haram On Tactics – Report

Fresh international report based on the gathered intelligence adds to the growing concerns that the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Nigeria’s Boko Haram have established direct links.

Leadership reports with reference to the recently published article by The Independent that the ISIS, notorious worldwide for its bloody activities, advises the dreaded insurgents operating in Nigeria on strategy and tactics.

According to the quote derived from the British report,

“Intelligence agencies are concerned that what were once symbolic links between ISIS and Boko Haram have now developed into a practical relationship with the Islamic State offering advice on strategy and tactics.”

READ ALSO: Boko Haram Take Over Key Town In Adamawa State

It also states that following a series of successful seizures of towns in the North-East of the country, Boko Haram was “beginning to operate more like a conventional army in Borno and the neighbouring north-eastern states of Adamawa and Yobe”.

While the Nigerian military denies the breach of territorial integrity by insurgents and assures citizens of carrying out heavy counter-attacks, Nigeria Security Network (organization comprised of experts and academics) explains that “unless swift action is taken, Nigeria could be facing a rapid takeover of a large area of its territory reminiscent of Isis’s lightning advances in Iraq”, The Independent provides.

The report stressed the fact of serious interference after “a senior politician in Borno admitted that civil life in the state, home to three million people, has all but ground to a halt”.

In this statement the journalist apparently refers to the speech of the Secretary to Borno State Government (SSG) Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda, who declared on Monday that the substantial part of the state had been occupied by Boko Haram. He also lamented that the militants had basically paralyzed economic, commercial and social life in Borno.

READ ALSO: Borno Is Under Boko Haram – SSG

It would be noted that talks alleging the close connection between the similarity of activities used by the ISIS and Boko Haram started making rounds after the Nigeria’s sect leader Abubakar Shekau had released the video where he claimed captured Gwoza town part of Islamic Caliphate.

It was suggested that Shekau imitated the ISIS moves, carrying out similar executions, kidnaps and finally attempting to establish caliphate in the seized territories.

Fears intensify as Boko Haram continue seizing new areas. According to the latest update provided by the Federal Government yesterday, the military recaptured the town of Bama following a week of violent fights with the insurgents. However some territories still remain under the militants’ control.

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