The Department of State Services has arrested one Khalid Albarnawi, who is said to be a top leader of the Anssru sect.
The sect was said to have recently united with Boko Haram.
A journalist, Ahmad Salkida, who is known to have unfettered access to top Boko Haram commanders, stated this in series of twist.
An online medium, Thecable, reported that Ansaru, which was established in 2012, was a splinter group of Boko Haram.
It further reported that Albarnawi, who is regarded in counter-terrorism circles to be “as important as Abubakar Shekau”, was reportedly arrested in Lokoja, Kogi state, and then transferred on Friday.
The report said, “He is regarded as the most influential member of Nigeria’s terror network with contacts to other Jihadi groups in north Africa and the middle east.
“Salkida said Albarnawi is believed to have reconciled with the leader of Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP), also known as Boko Haram.
“In series of messages on Twitter, Salkida described the arrest as one of the greatest feats in the fight against insurgency.”
Below are some of the tweets:
Breaking News: Reports reaching me say, Nigeria’s apex security agency has recorded one of “its greatest feat in the war on terror.”— Ahmad Salkida (@ContactSalkida) April 1, 2016
The security source said the DSS arrested Khalid Albarnawi of Ansaru, who is believed to have reconciled with the leader of ISWAP today.
— Ahmad Salkida (@ContactSalkida) April 1, 2016
Update on Barnawi: he was arrested at 9am yesterday close to a military facility in Lokoja, Kogi, not Niger State – Intelligence sources.
— Ahmad Salkida (@ContactSalkida) April 2, 2016
Update on Barnawi: Surprised that the Nigerian authorities have not denied nor confirm this high level arrest after several queries.— Ahmad Salkida (@ContactSalkida) April 2, 2016
Efforts to confirm the report from appropriate authorities yielded no result, as the DSS doesn’t have a spokesperson.
