TheCable

Troops of the Nigerian Army 144 Battalion, Operation Hadin Kai, have reportedly apprehended Saidu Hassan Yellow, a top commander of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), in Madagali, Adamawa state. 

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst on the Lake Chad region, said the commander who is also known as Abu Saidu, was nabbed alongside other suspected terrorists, following an intelligence operation.

“The terrorist kingpin who was among one of the most wanted criminals on the list of the security agency, was apprehended in a sting operation carried out by the troops at the Mubi Market General area on April 9, 2024,” Zagazola Makama said.

The publication quoted intelligence sources as saying that the 32-year-old Saidu was alleged to be the mastermind of the attack on Askira Town on Nov. 12 2021, where a commander of the 28 task force Brigade and three soldiers “paid the supreme sacrifice as they provided reinforcement in a counter offensive against the terrorists”.

Items recovered from the suspects included three mobile phones, three ATM cards, one wristwatch, four rings, a bunch of keys and N1,900.

The alleged terrorists have been moved to the military high command for investigation and profiling.