"The positive runs by the security agencies on Boko Haram group and other terrorist groups in Nigeria continue as the military said Friday it had arrested a number of security personnel over links to Islamist extremist group Boko Haram, whose insurgency has killed hundreds of people. The arrests came after soldiers from a special military unit

deployed in the northeastern city of Maiduguri arrested an immigration officer, Grema Mohammed, for allegedly being an active member of Boko Haram, a military spokesman said.

According to the JTF, the security personnels were named among those carrying out terrorist attacks in the country. The disclosure came from the confessions of a high-profile Boko Haram member arrested by the military Joint Task Force (JTF) in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. Most of these personnel have been arrested, while security agencies are on the trail of others.

Boko Haram is blamed for deadly attacks that have killed more than 1,400 people since 2010 as part of an insurgency in northern and central Nigeria.

The arrest "led to further arrests of some other security personnel that had been participating in various terrorist attacks in Borno and Yobe states," Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa said of the two states in northeastern Nigeria, where Boko Haram has been based.


He did not specify how many arrests had been made.

"He confessed to being an active member of the Boko Haram terrorist sect which he joined long before the 2009 crisis," Musa said in a statement in reference to a 2009 uprising by the group.

"He also confessed to having been trained alongside 15 other members of the sect on weapon handling, assassination and special operations in Niger republic," Musa added, referring to the neighbouring nation.

Grema was arrested over a month ago at a checkpoint while allegedly impersonating an army lieutenant, Musa said.

The suspect also confessed to the killings of some senior civil servants, security personnel and politicians who had spoken against the sect in Yobe and Borno states.

He had also participated in attacks on police stations, a prison and the burning of public schools, Musa said.

There have previously been accusations of involvement of some security personnel in the attacks, which have grown increasingly sophisticated.

Islamist extremist group Boko Haram is blamed for deadly attacks that have killed more than 1,400 people since 2010 (AFP photo)

A JTF statement signed by the task force spokesman, Lt. Col Sagri Musa, seen elombah.com states:

Mohammed had been on the wanted lists in the country. He was arrested on August 17, this year for impersonating a Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army.

Mohammed confessed to be actively involved in the killings of some senior civil servants, security agents, and politicians in Damaturu who spoke against the activities of Boko Haram, particularly the former chairman of Damboa Council, Alhaji Lawal Kawu.

He also took part in the attack on the old Police Headquarters in Damaturu, where some policemen were killed and large quantity of arms and ammunition carted away.

In addition, he was among the terrorists that attacked Damaturu Prison, burnt some primary schools, the State CID office and the Police Safety Vehicle, among others.

Musa added that the suspect has been an active member of the sect long before the crises of July 2009.

The suspect revealed to JTF that he and 15 other members of the organization were intensively trained for three months on G3 and AK 47 rifles, as well as in assassinations and special operations in Niger Republic.

He also revealed names of some security personnel that participated in terrorists attacks in Borno and Yobe states.

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