Whereabouts of Boko Haram 'Butcher' Unknown

The whereabouts of suspected Boko Haram “chief butcher” Mohammed Zakari who was arrested on July 15, is reportedly unknown.

Zakari who was arrested after a counter-insurgency operation in Balmo forest in Bauchi State, which was rated as the major armoury of the sect, has been undergoing interrogation in a police facility.

Boko Harm chief butcher, Mohammed Zakari

Mohammed Zakari, suspected chief butcher of Boko Haram

There have been conflicting report on where he is. A source claimed he was in Bauchi while another said he had been transferred to a secret location in Jos.

Tension over his whereabouts was further heightened by the fact that he had not been interrogated by the military and other security agencies.

According to a top security source, who spoke in confidence to The Nation, the fate of Zakari is unknown, because since his arrest, nothing has been heard from the police on the extent of their investigation.

“No one can also explain who is keeping the suspect in the last two weeks. There are different claims on whether he is in Bauchi, Jos or Abuja.

“It could also not be confirmed whether he is still alive or dead during encounters. The situation is creating fears in the states under emergency rule. Those from these states have been raising concerns on Zakari’s actual status,” the source explained.

Also speaking on the issue, a military source said they have not been involved in the interrogation of the suspect since his arrest, adding that the police would be in the best position to account for his whereabouts being that they arrested him.

Attempts to contact Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Frank Mba, proved futile.