Firdaus Obiremi
Troops of the Nigerian Army, Operation Hadin Kai, have reportedly arrested a Yobe State-based politician, Alhaji Wakiil Goni Mama, popularly known as Mai Salati, over alleged links to logistics activities supporting Islamic State West Africa Province elements operating in the North-East.
The politician was reportedly arrested after military intelligence uncovered an alleged attempt to induce soldiers with money to secure the release of suspects detained over suspected terrorist logistics activities in Kanamma, Yobe State.
According to a report by security analyst Zagazola Makama on X, the arrest followed intelligence-led operations involving the Commander of Sector 2 and troops of the 27 Task Force Brigade.
Security sources cited in the report alleged that Mai Salati had been under surveillance over claims that he was operating as a logistics supplier and collaborator for suspected terrorist elements.
The sources said troops had earlier arrested several suspects in Kanamma and were processing them for further investigation when the politician allegedly intervened in an attempt to secure their release.
He was subsequently arrested after troops reportedly rejected the alleged inducement.
The detained suspects were said to have been moved from Damaturu to Maiduguri for further interrogation as investigators seek to establish the nature and extent of their alleged connections to terrorist networks.
The development has reportedly triggered speculation in some quarters that the arrest could be politically motivated, particularly amid claims concerning Mai Salati’s alleged movement from the All Progressives Congress to the African Democratic Congress.
However, security sources reportedly dismissed the political explanation, insisting that the investigation was centred on alleged terrorism-related activities and an attempt to interfere with the detention of persons suspected of providing logistics support to ISWAP elements.
The sources maintained that the politician’s alleged political affiliation or defection was not the basis of his arrest.
The investigation is expected to determine whether the suspects have established links with terrorist networks and whether sufficient evidence exists to warrant formal prosecution.
The reported arrest comes amid sustained counter-terrorism operations by Nigerian security forces against Boko Haram and ISWAP elements and their support structures across the North-East.
Security agencies have increasingly focused on disrupting the logistics networks that enable terrorist groups to sustain their operations.
Such networks may facilitate the movement of food, fuel, money, weapons, communication equipment and other materials required by armed groups to operate.
The latest operation therefore underscores the military’s broader effort to identify and dismantle individuals and networks allegedly providing material support to terrorist organisations.
However, Mai Salati and the other detained suspects remain under investigation, and the allegations against them have not been established by any court.
They are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in accordance with the law.
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