CIA, SSS in manhunt for Boko Haram kingpins

Tribune

6 February 2012

CIA, SSS in manhunt for Boko Haram kingpins •Illegal aliens have invaded Benue -Suswam alerts •Says 100 persons arrested, detained

Written by Taiwo Adisa and Johnson Babajide Monday, 06 February 2012

A combined effort by some international intelligence bodies, including the Central Intelligence Agency(CIA) of the United States of America (USA) has been launched in search of top kingpins of the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram, sources said on Sunday.

It was learnt that the intelligence network has become worried that the sect was fast becoming a threat to everyone around the world and that the time to tackle it should be fast-tracked.

Sources said that the international community had been treating the Boko Haram sect as a local Nigerian issue until the attack on the United Nations House in Abuja.

It was, however, gathered that the attack on the UN House changed the perception.

Right now, a number of options, including political solutions are said to have been pushed to the Nigerian authorities, sources confirmed.

It was gathered that information obtained from the few operatives so far arrested was helping the intelligence community in the search for the sect’s leaders.

Sources informed that the main target so far remains Abubakar Shekau, the leader, who is said to have moved from a village in Niger Republic to another location in Cameroun, close to the Nigerian border.

“Reports reaching both international and local intelligence network have confirmed that the leaders are being circumspect in recent days. The main man is said to have resolved to relying more on some trusted couriers after the arrest of the spokesman, Abu Qaqa,” a source said, adding that the CIA was collaborating with the local State Security Service (SSS) and other intelligence networks to bust the Nigerian Boko Haram crisis.