Troops arrest top ISWAP Commander, Abu Saidu

Troops of the Nigerian Army have reportedly captured a top commander of the Islamic State of the West African Province (ISWAP), called Saidu Hassan Yellow, also known as Abu Saidu.

Abu Saidu was arrested on Tuesday, April 9, during an operation by the 144 Battalion, Operation Hadin Kai, in Adamawa State, as reported by a security analyst in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama.

The 32-year-old ISWAP Commander, who was trapped in a sting operation at the Mubu Market General area, was a high-priority target for the military.

He’s believed to have engineered the assault on Askira town in November 2021, which led to the deaths of the Commander of 28 Task Force Brigade and three soldiers during a counter-offensive.

Zagazola Makama disclosed that one uncompleted building was discovered during the operation, which Abu Saidu rented at the rate of N20,000 from one Malam Sani, the caretaker of the House.

The uncompleted building is assumed to be the meeting point of the terrorist group from where they schemed their criminal operations.

The troops also confiscated some items from the terrorists, which included three mobile phones, three ATM cards, a wristwatch, four rings, a set of keys, and N1,900 in cash.

The caught terrorists have been transferred to military headquarters for further investigation and profiling.