Boko Haram Kingpin: Among 486 Abia Suspects Relocated

A Boko Haram kingpin, who is among the 486 suspects detained in Abia state has been relocated to a detention facility by the military for a comprehensive investigation.

486 suspected Boko Haram members arrested in Abia state

It was gathered by The Nation that the suspected kingpin was moved out of the state because of what a source described as "valuable information and clues" he had released to the military.

The suspected kingpin was said to have given his interrogators a wrong name but after a DSS officer, who had been on his trail, succeeded in identifying him, he disclosed his real name and admitted that he had been on the wanted list of security agencies.

According to a military source, he is presently being held in a secret detention facility, saying they had to relocate him because they have been receiving enquiries on his real identity, describing as disturbing, the fact that some people wanted to know the exact kingpin.

"So, his arrest has generated more than a mere passing interest from some bigwigs. They were consistently asking which particular one had been picked? Who is the person? Do you have his photograph? We are suspecting that some of those raising concerns might have other sinister motives too," the source said.

Another military source disclosed that contrary to the public outcry there was more to the movement of the 486 suspects caught in Abia state.

The 486 suspects were arrested last Sunday morning by officers and men of the 144 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Aro Ngwa and Imo Gate along Enugu, Port Harcourt Expressway.

Following the discovery of 87 of the suspects' link with Boko Haram, more military and SSS officers from intelligence units were yesterday deployed in Abia and are expected to interrogate some of these suspects who have been coming up with fresh information.