Boko Haram commander linked to suicide attacks arrested

Nigeria’s secret police on Sunday said it had arrested notable Boko Haram suspects, including a key commander, linked with several suicide attacks across the country.

The Department of State Services (DSS) said in a statement that Usman Shuiabu known as Money and other frontline members of the hardline Islamist group were picked up in Lagos, Kano, Plateau, Enugu and Gombe states between July and August.

“Of particular note was the arrest on 8th <g data-gr-id="17">July,</g> 2015 in Gombe state of those responsible for the coordination and execution of the suicide attacks in Potiskum, Kano, Zaria and Jos,” it said. “Shuaibu admitted being the leader of the team of nine sect members that was dispatched from Sambisa Forest to carry out the attacks. He disclosed that four out of the nine of them were used as suicide bombers in executing all the suicide attacks,” it said.

It said the arrest of Shuaibu and other core members of his cell had stemmed the spate of bombings by the extremist sect. The DSS said its operatives had also frustrated plans by the insurgents to attack the financial capital of Lagos.