Troops of the Nigerian Army’s Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a Yobe-based politician, Alhaji Wakiil Goni Mama, popularly known as Mai Salati, over allegations that he provided logistics support to terrorists and collaborated with Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements in the North-East.
According to security sources, the arrest followed an alleged attempt by Mr Mama to bribe soldiers in order to secure the release of suspects earlier detained in Kanamma, Yobe State, in connection with suspected terrorist logistics.
The sources said the suspects were being processed for further investigation when the politician allegedly intervened and offered money to military personnel. The soldiers reportedly rejected the inducement and arrested him.
Mr Mama and the other suspects were subsequently transferred from Damaturu towards Maiduguri for further interrogation as authorities seek to establish the extent of any alleged links to terrorist networks.
Security sources have dismissed suggestions that the arrest was politically motivated and linked to reports of Mr Mama’s alleged defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). They said the operation was based solely on allegations relating to terrorism logistics and interference with the detention of suspected suppliers.
