Nigerian military arrest two of the 100 most wanted Boko Haram terrorists

 Reuters

Nigeria's military has said it has made its first two arrests as a result of publishing a list of the 100 most-wanted Boko Haram suspects.

Army spokesperson Colonel Sani Usman said that two Boko Haram militants on the most wanted poster have been identified and apprehended.

On Sunday one man, Chindo Bello, was spotted and held at Abuja airport.

"Chindo Bello was apprehended by aviation security as he was boarding (an) Aero Contractors' flight to Lagos," Usman said.

Security agents were tipped off and the arrest was made "as he attempted to flee" and was then handed over to military intelligence for questioning.

article,article,article,article Related

Following this arrest, on Monday evening a second man, Ishaku Wardifen, a Cameroonian national and number 22 on the most wanted list, was held by troops at a checkpoint in Adamawa state, northeast state.

"As all hands are on deck to finally defeat Boko Haram terrorists in our country, today in the morning, another declared wanted suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Ishaku Wardifen, was nabbed by vigilant troops of 23 Brigade Special Battalion at a check point in Maiha, Adamawa State.

"Preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspected terrorist is a Cameroonian citizen.

"Visual matching with photographs on the poster of the 100 declared suspected Boko Haram terrorists wanted list released by the Nigerian Army last month shows that he clearly resembles the suspect on serial number 22 on the list," Usman said.

The suspect has now been handed over to military intelligence for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The "most wanted" poster, published both in English and the local, north-eastern languages of Hausa and Kanuri, appeals for public help in finding the Boko Haram suspects.

The group's leader, Abubakar Shekau, features twice on the poster to represent the government's suspicions that he in a composite character played by lookalikes.

related articles
Many of the kidnapped Chibok girls are still alive, reveals escapee

Many of the kidnapped Chibok girls are still alive, reveals escapee

Nigeria: At least 10 dead in suspected Boko Haram suicide attack
Nigeria: At least 10 dead in suspected Boko Haram suicide attack

Nigeria: At least 10 dead in suspected Boko Haram suicide attack

Nigeria: Hundreds of hostages rescued from Boko Haram
Nigeria: Hundreds of hostages rescued from Boko Haram

Nigeria: Hundreds of hostages rescued from Boko Haram

Boko Haram: Five terrorist camps liberated by Nigerian army
Boko Haram: Five terrorist camps liberated by Nigerian army

Boko Haram: Five terrorist camps liberated by Nigerian army

News
The unyielding faith of one woman that shook an empire
The unyielding faith of one woman that shook an empire

In the year AD 203, a young woman named Vibia Perpetua stepped into a Roman arena in Carthage, North Africa. The crowd jeered, wild beasts prowled, and death was certain. Yet she did not hesitate.

Joy in the journey – serving King Jesus, meeting King Charles
Joy in the journey – serving King Jesus, meeting King Charles

Nicki Duncalfe said 'yes' to God's call, leaving behind comfort and career to support her husband’s mission flying with MAF, raise her boys cross-culturally, and live out her faith in extraordinary ways.

Pope Leo XIV’s first Mass sends a defining message of faith in a distracted world
Pope Leo XIV’s first Mass sends a defining message of faith in a distracted world

Standing beneath Michelangelo’s towering fresco of the Last Judgement, newly elected Pope Leo XIV delivered his first papal homily in the Sistine Chapel, setting a bold and unmistakable tone for his pontificate. His message: reclaim an authentic vision of Jesus Christ or risk living in a state of “practical atheism”.

China clamps down on foreign missionaries
China clamps down on foreign missionaries

China has imposed sweeping restrictions on Christian practices.