Chadian authorities have apprehended Muslim Mohammed Yusuf, the youngest son of the late Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf, along with five other suspected jihadists.
Security sources confirm the 18-year-old was allegedly leading an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) cell when arrested several months ago in Chad.
The arrest marks a significant development in regional counterterrorism efforts, as ISWAP – a Boko Haram splinter group – has intensified attacks across the Lake Chad basin. A Nigerian intelligence source verified the detained cell’s connection to ISWAP, noting the Muslim’s leadership role despite his youth.
Born shortly before his father’s 2009 death during a Nigerian military crackdown, Muslim reportedly adopted the alias Abdrahman Mahamat Abdoulaye. Photographs from the arrest show a slight young man resembling his late father standing beside older detainees. His older brother, Habib Yusuf (alias Abu Mus’ab Al-Barnawi), currently leads ISWAP operations.
Chadian police spokesperson Paul Manga confirmed arresting six undocumented “bandits” belonging to Boko Haram, though he couldn’t immediately verify the Muslim’s identity among them.
The suspects allegedly operated urban cells in Chad, demonstrating the group’s expanding reach beyond rural strongholds.
A former Boko Haram associate familiar with the Yusuf family independently corroborated the arrest to AFP. The detainees’ prolonged custody before public disclosure suggests ongoing investigations into their network.
The arrest highlights persistent security challenges in the region, where Boko Haram and ISWAP continue exploiting porous borders. While Nigerian authorities haven’t officially commented, the operation represents a rare capture of high-profile jihadist lineage.
Security analysts note the psychological impact of apprehending the Boko Haram founder’s son could disrupt recruitment among younger insurgents drawn to the Yusuf legacy.
Regional forces remain on alert for potential retaliatory attacks following the high-value arrest as multinational efforts continue against the decade-long Islamist insurgency.
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cc: Punch NG
