Troops in Yobe State have arrested a politician, Alhaji Wakiil Goni Mama—popularly known as “Mai Salati”—over allegations of providing logistical support to terrorists and maintaining links with members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the North-East.
According to security sources, the arrest followed an attempt by Mai Salati to secure the release of suspects apprehended in Kanamma, Yobe State, in connection with alleged terrorist logistics. The politician was accused of offering a bribe to the soldiers handling the suspects.
The soldiers reportedly rejected the offer and subsequently arrested Mai Salati. The individuals, who were already being processed, were taken into military custody for further interrogation.
Mai Salati and the other suspects have since been transferred from Damaturu to Maiduguri as security authorities continue to investigate their alleged activities and links to terrorist networks.
Security sources denied claims that the arrest was politically motivated following Mai Salati’s recent defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). They maintained that the operation was strictly based on allegations of facilitating terrorist logistics and interfering with the investigation of suspected suppliers.
