Suspected Boko Haram member fled Sambisa, arrested in Ibadan

ONE man, suspected to be a member of the dreaded Boko Haram sect was, on Sunday night, arrested in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

This is as some other members of the dreaded sect may have had found their way to Lagos, having made good their escape from Sambisa Forest, the former enclave of the Boko Haram group.

According to findings by the Tribune Online, the man, who simply goes by the name, Alkali, was arrested at the Alalubosa GRA of the Ibadan metropolis by security agents, acting on a tipoff by some people living in the neighbourhood.

A reliable police source, who spoke with Tribune Online on condition of anonymity, on Monday, further disclosed that the man had fled from Sambisa Forest in Borno State after the former fortress of the insurgent group had been captured by the Nigerian Army.

The source added that the suspected terrorist, currently in detention at the state CID, arrived at the Mobil Petrol Station on Ring Road and was immediately accosted by some Hausa people who were curious about his appearance and mode of dressing.

On interrogation, he was said to had confessed to be a member of the sect and that he was one of those in charge of the dangerous weapons at the disposal of the group, including grenades and dynamites and found on him were some new naira notes (denominations not disclosed).

“The man was arrested on Sunday night by security agents from the Iyaganku Division of the Oyo State Police Command.

“This followed a tipoff by the people of the Alalubosa GRA who were curious of his sudden appearance in the neighbourhood.

“The man, who said his name is Alkali, claimed that he ran from Sambisa Forest after the place was captured by the military.

“He was found roaming about in the Alalubosa GRA by the people who lodged a report with the law enforcement agency.

“Under investigation at the Iyaganku Division, he confessed that he fled from Sambisa Forest in Borno State and got to Mobil, Ring Road, Ibadan on foot.

“He was immediately accosted by some Hausa people who are plying their trade there. They immediately called the attention of their leader who subjected him to a round of interrogation.

“He however fled from them under questioning, only to be seen at the Alalubosa GRA area by some residents who were curious of his appearance and way of dressing.

“The residents of Alalubosa GRA immediately notified the Iyaganku Division of the state police command who sent a team of security personnel to effect his arrest and he was eventually taken to the police station.

“Under interrogation at the police station, he made some confessional statement, claiming that he is a Boko Haram member from Borno State and that he fled from the Sambisa Forest, following the invasion and capture of the place by the Nigerian Army.

“He is presently held in the inner custody of the cell at the state CID as he said he was not the only person that escaped from Sambisa Forest.

“The suspect said he came to Ibadan with some other members of the Boko Haram sect, adding that some are already in Lagos,” the police source said.