SSS Arrests Graduate Boko Haram Agent for Killing a Popular Cleric, Sheik Albani

Late Sheikh

The State Security Service, SSS, has arrested a graduate of English Literature from Ahmadu Bello University whose name is given as Yasir Salihu, and six other Boko Haram members who allegedly slained the popular Islamic cleric, Sheik Adam Albani, his wife and son on February 1, 2014 at Gwagwaje area of Kaduna.

SSS Deputy Director, Public Relations, Marilyn Ogar, who paraded the suspects in Abuja, said that Albani was killed for his pro-western posture and his preaching which were contrary to the Boko Haram ideology.

The suspects

According to Ogar,"Investigation and confessions by the suspects revealed that Albani’s pro-western posture and his preaching are contrary to the Boko Haram ideology. He was consequently placed on a surveillance and was tracked to Markaz Salafiya Centre by Boko Haram members and killed on February 1 where they waited for him till the end of his sermon, trailed and eventually killed him and his family."

She said their hatred for Sheik Albani culminated in a meeting by members of the sect under the leadership of Abdullahi at Hayin Danmani in Rigasa area of Kaduna State, where Boko Haram’s decision-making organ, the Shura Council, ordered the killing of the Islamic cleric.

Other sect members arrested were, Yakub Abdullahi (a.k.a Alhaji Bala or Alhaji Kano Yakub Bulunkutu), Ibrahim Shuaibu (a.k.a Kawal Abu Amar), Bilyamin Usman, Sahabi Ismail, Umar Yasir and Musa Abubakar.

The arrested ABU graduate, who works as Head of Records/Billing Department, Horizons Medical Centre in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, said he joined the sect in 2009 when he attended a sermon by the late Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf, in Maiduguri.

He and others will be charged to court by the SSS.