Nigerian troops bust Boko Haram intelligence cell

Lagos, July 1: Nigerian troops said Monday that a terrorists' intelligence cell, headed by a businessman who participated actively in the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok region, has been busted, Xinhua reported.

Babuji Ya'ari, who is also a member of the Youth Vigilante Group which he uses as a cover while remaining an active terrorist, also spearheaded the murder of the Emir of Gwoza, Nigerian defence headquarters' spokesperson Chris Olukolade said in a statement.

The suspect's main role in the group used to be to spy and gather information for the terrorists group, the official added.

Babuji had been coordinating several deadly attacks in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, since 2011, including the daring attacks on Customs and military locations as well as the planting of IEDs in several locations in the town, he further added.

The arrest of the businessman, known for dealing in tricycles, has also yielded some vital information and facilitated the arrest of other members of the terrorists' intelligence cell, the defence official added.

Boko Haram has caused thousands of casualties in Nigeria's northern states since launching insurgency in 2009.

IANS