DHQ Confirm The Arrest Of Three Female Boko Haram Suspects

The Defence Headquarters on Friday confirmed the arrest a total of three suspected female terrorists, who are allegedly recruiting for the female wing of Boko Haram.
The three suspects have been identified as: Hafsat Usman Bako, Zainab Idris and Aisha Abubakar.

It was reported on June 3 that Hafsat Bako, an informant of the dreaded Boko Haram sects was arrested with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro confirming her arrest.

She is alleged to be responsible for coordinating the payment of other operatives on the payroll of
the group with a minimum of N10,000 to each was arrested.

Two Female Boko Haram Accomplices. Photo credit – DHQ

The DHQ who revealed that the suspects were intercepted on their way to the dreaded Sambisa Forest in a statement signed by Col. Onyema Nwachukwu on behalf of the Director of Defence Information said: “In the aftermath of the failed suicide bombing attempt on a military facility by a female terrorist who blew herself up in Gombe recently, troops have arrested three suspected female terrorists who have been secretly recruiting ladies into the female wing of the terrorists group.

“The suspects –  Hafsat Usman Bako, Zainab Idris and Aisha Abubakar were intercepted while traveling to Madagali from where they were to transit to the forest to reunite with their cohorts.

“Investigations revealed that the suspects, led by Hafsat Bako, have the mission to recruit members into the female wing as well as conduct espionage for the group.

“Hafsat’s link with the terrorists group had earlier been a subject of investigation in 2012, when security agents on a man-hunt for one Usman Bako, her husband who was identified as a terrorist, stormed their residence in Jimeta.

“This resulted in the discovery of an AK 47 rifle and two loaded magazines. Though Usman Bako later died in an encounter with troops in Sokoto where he had relocated to continue his terrorist activities, Hafsat continued with the terror group specializing in surreptitious recruitment of members into their fold.”

The statement added: “The arrested suspects were luring ladies especially widows and young girls by enticing them with male suitors who are mainly members of their terror group for marriage.

“Before their arrest, they were on a mission to take additional briefing from the leadership of the terror group.

“The three suspects have been operating together as members of the intelligence team of the group. Their arrest has yielded information still being verified by security agencies.”

Meanwhile it would be recalled that on June 30 it was reported that the Nigerian security busted Boko Haram intelligence cell and arrested the key suspect of the Chibok abducted school girls Babuji Ya’ari.

The Director of Defence Information Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, said: "Babuji has been coordinating several deadly attacks in Maiduguri since 2011, including the daring attacks on Customs and military locations as well as the planting of IEDs in several locations in the town."