Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested Yobe-based politician Alhaji Wakiil Goni Mama, popularly known as Mai Salati, over alleged links to Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and claims that he provided support for terrorist logistics in the North-East.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama reported that military sources linked the arrest to an alleged attempt by the politician to bribe soldiers into releasing suspects arrested in Kanamma, Yobe State, over suspected terrorist logistics.
The arrest followed intelligence efforts involving the Commander of Sector 2 and the 27 Task Force Brigade to track down the politician, who was allegedly a major logistics supplier and collaborator for terrorist elements.
The suspects arrested earlier were being processed for further investigation when Mai Salati allegedly tried to secure their release with money. Soldiers reportedly rejected the offer and arrested him.
He and the other suspects were later moved from Damaturu towards Maiduguri for further questioning and possible legal action to establish their alleged links to terrorist networks.
The arrest has also drawn a response to social media claims that it was politically motivated and linked to his alleged defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“Zagazola Makama can authoritatively report that the military operation, according to security sources, has nothing to do with any politics, but by allegations bordering on terrorism logistics and an attempt to interfere with the detention of persons suspected of supplying logistics to ISWAP,” the security analyst said.
Military sources stressed that disrupting terrorist supply chains, including food, fuel, weapons, transport and communication, is vital to counter-terrorism efforts.
“Those who allegedly provide such support are therefore not peripheral to terrorism,” said the military sources.
