JTF: We killed, arrested Boko Haram leaders

Soldiers manning a checkpoint in Kano shot to death two suspected Boko Haram leaders, AP reports.

The dead reportedly included the spokesman for the sect, as well as a commander who operates in Kogi State, a military official said.

It is unclear what happened next, though the official said soldiers shot dead both the commander and the spokesman, while adding that the wife and children remained in military custody.

The wife told soldiers the men had accompanied her to Kano as she sought medical help, the official said.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity as the information was not to be made immediately public on Monday.

However, spokesman for the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Ikedichi Iweha, confirmed the development.

According to him, the operation was carried out in Hotoro area in Kano metropolis.

He said, “During the early morning operation, one member of the terrorists group was killed and two other members arrested.”

I cannot confirm to you the identity of the suspects arrested yet, because I don’t have the nominal role of the terrorists group.

“As soon as investigation is completed, the identity of the suspects will be made public. Investigation has to be completed before I can tell you the identity of the suspects.”

He said the operation lasted for over one hour before reports went round that very top members of the terrorist group were killed.

Government officials may be hesitating as they previously claimed to have arrested the sect’s spokesman, who uses the nom de guerre Abul Qaqa when speaking to journalists. Confusion over his death sparked threats by the sect against journalists who previously reported on the government claim.