According to military sources, the council chairman, who was also arrested is either harbouring or fraternizing with the suspected terrorist, as he failed to report his presence to security agencies. Though news about the arrest is scanty, residents of 1,000 Housing Estate in Maiduguri where the chairman lives, said armed men stormed his house yesterday and arrested both men after receiving intelligence that the Boko Haram commander had sneaked into the house for safety.
"They first barricaded everywhere, stormed the house and took them away but I could not go near to know if they recovered any arms or not," one of the residents told Daily Trust on Sunday.
A military source said both men have been detained in a military facility to enable thorough investigation into the matter. All efforts to get confirmation on the arrest from both the military and the Department of Security Services (DSS) were not successful.
Meanwhile, the Ministry for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, which supervises chairmen of the 27 local government areas in Borno State, has described the arrest of the Chairman of Mafa council, Shettima Lawan Mafa, as a “a very worrisome twist”.
It noted that contrary to media reports, the chairman wasn’t arrested but reported himself to the military.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Usman Ali Zanna, however said the ministry neither questioned the judgment and authority of the military nor exonerated Mafa of any wrongdoing so as not to pre-empt the outcome of ongoing investigation.
The Ministry said:
- The chairman in question was not arrested but reported himself to the military command after he got information that he was needed by the military.
- Contrary to reports that Mafa was arrested at the 1,000 housing estate on Maiduguri-Damaturu road, there was never any issue at the estate. Mafa lives at 505 housing estate located on Dikwa and Mafa road.
“This development is a worrisome twist. It is a twist because, for years, Mafa has been known for his courage in joining hunters in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents. His commitment in the fight against terrorism is known to army commanders who have served in Mafa in the last two years. The like of Major Manga can bear testimony to this and it is mainly due to his passion that he was reappointed caretaker Chairman of Mafa.
“We assure citizens of the 27 council areas; other concerned Nigerians and the international community that we are usually very thorough in identifying those appointed, either as local government chairmen, ward councillors, traditional rulers, vigilantes and members of the Civilian JTF deployed in the 27 councils.
“As can be confirmed by security agencies, we do not engage any youth as vigilance members or in the Civilian JTF, unless he or she is verified by the Department of State Services (DSS).
“We anxiously look forward to the outcome of the investigation while we shall abide by Governor Kashim Shettima’s stand that anyone found having any connection with insurgents is an enemy of Borno State and its people.”
It noted that contrary to media reports, the chairman wasn’t arrested but reported himself to the military.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Usman Ali Zanna, however said the ministry neither questioned the judgment and authority of the military nor exonerated Mafa of any wrongdoing so as not to pre-empt the outcome of ongoing investigation.
The Ministry said:
- The chairman in question was not arrested but reported himself to the military command after he got information that he was needed by the military.
- Contrary to reports that Mafa was arrested at the 1,000 housing estate on Maiduguri-Damaturu road, there was never any issue at the estate. Mafa lives at 505 housing estate located on Dikwa and Mafa road.
“This development is a worrisome twist. It is a twist because, for years, Mafa has been known for his courage in joining hunters in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents. His commitment in the fight against terrorism is known to army commanders who have served in Mafa in the last two years. The like of Major Manga can bear testimony to this and it is mainly due to his passion that he was reappointed caretaker Chairman of Mafa.
“We assure citizens of the 27 council areas; other concerned Nigerians and the international community that we are usually very thorough in identifying those appointed, either as local government chairmen, ward councillors, traditional rulers, vigilantes and members of the Civilian JTF deployed in the 27 councils.
“As can be confirmed by security agencies, we do not engage any youth as vigilance members or in the Civilian JTF, unless he or she is verified by the Department of State Services (DSS).
“We anxiously look forward to the outcome of the investigation while we shall abide by Governor Kashim Shettima’s stand that anyone found having any connection with insurgents is an enemy of Borno State and its people.”
Alleged Arrested Top Boko Haram Commander, Submited Himself to the Miliatry - LG chairmen
![Alleged Arrested Top Boko Haram Commander, Submited Himself to the Miliatry - LG chairmen]()
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