We never arrest Abu Zainab – Army

The Nigerian Army says it never arrested any Boko Haram terrorists named Abdullahi Bello alias Abu Zainab as claimed by an online media, Sahara reporter.
Sahara reporter had claimed that “A top Boko Haram commander, Abdullahi Bello alias Abu Zainab,” who was captured by the Nigerian Army on February 14, had disclosed that the wanted factional leader of the sect, Abubakar Shekau, has escaped to Kolofata in neighbouring Cameroon.
But the army spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman refuted the report in a statement.
He said the Nigerian Army neither arrested a person with such name nor had him in its cutody.
The statement read: “ The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a news story on Sahara Reporters alleging that the wanted purported factional Boko Haram terrorists group leader, Abubakar Shekau, is in Kolofata, Republic of Cameroon.
“Sahara Reporters is credited the source of such information to the Nigerian Army. According to the medium, it was alleged that “A top Boko Haram commander, Abdullahi Bello alias Abu Zainab, who was captured by the Nigerian Army on February 14, has disclosed that the wanted factional leader of the sect, Abubakar Shekau, has escaped to Kolofata in neighbouring Cameroon.”
“This is not true. The Nigerian Army did not arrest such person, neither do we have such suspect in our custody. Contrary to the allegation on the medium, the Nigerian Army is not aware of the whereabouts of Abubakar Shekau hence the reward of the sum of N3 million Naira for any credible information on his whereabouts.”
Usman urged journalists to always authenticate or cross check their facts and information from the Nigerian Army before publication.

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