Troops of the joint task force (north-east) Operation Hadin Kai have apprehended a 15-year-old suspect over his alleged role in a deadly attack in Borno State.
The suspect, identified as Tijjani, was arrested on Sunday while reportedly heading out to buy food for members of his group.
Military sources linked him to the assault that resulted in the death of Oseni Braimah, a brigadier-general, along with three other soldiers. Braimah, who commanded the 29 task force brigade under Operation Hadin Kai, was killed on Thursday when suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked a military base.
In a video circulating online, Tijjani said he was arrested in Ngamdu, Borno State. Speaking in Hausa, he admitted involvement in attacks on Benisheik and Ngamdu.
“Before the attack, we came from Jilli and returned there after the attack. I was sent from Jilli yesterday with N850,000 to collect some logistics from Ngamdu, but I was arrested by troops,” he said.
“Yesterday (Saturday), I left other fighters, my colleagues, at Jilli. I don’t know what happened to them there.”
Authorities are yet to release an official statement regarding the arrest.