Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a Yobe State politician, Alhaji Wakiil Goni Mama, popularly known as Mai Salati, over allegations of providing logistical support to Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists operating in the North-East.
The arrest reportedly followed an alleged attempt by the politician to bribe military personnel to secure the release of suspects arrested over suspected terrorist logistics activities in Kanamma, Yobe State. The development was reported by counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, citing security sources.
According to the report, the suspects had been arrested and were undergoing processing for further investigation when Mai Salati allegedly intervened and offered money to soldiers to facilitate their release. The troops reportedly rejected the offer and arrested him instead.
The operation reportedly involved the commander of Sector 2 and the 27 Task Force Brigade, with the politician and other suspects subsequently moved from Damaturu towards Maiduguri for further interrogation and investigation. Authorities are expected to establish the extent of their alleged connections with terrorist networks.
The arrest comes amid intensified military operations aimed at disrupting the supply networks that sustain terrorist activities in the North-East.
Security sources also reportedly dismissed claims that the arrest was politically motivated or connected to Mai Salati’s alleged defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), maintaining that the investigation concerns alleged terrorism-related activities.
The allegations against the politician have not been established by a court, and investigations are ongoing.
