Contrary to media reports that Abu Qaqa had been arrested, a source has confirmed to Daily Times the Boko Haram suspect arrested is Abu Darda who heads the head of the Lagina (Dept) of Public enlightenment.
Abu Qaqa serves as the spokesman of the group and has been the interface with journalists since the beginning of the violent campaign.
Qaqa, known for granting interviews and issuing statements on behalf of the group, was reportedly arrested in Kaduna by the SSS, early on Wednesday.
"Abu Qaqa" speaks
However, speaking with journalists from an unknown location on Thursday, a man who claimed he was Qada said the militant arrested was one Abu Dardaa.
“The person that was arrested was Abu Dardaa and not Abu-Qaqa. I am Abul Qaqa, the spokesman for the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnati Lidda’awati Wal Jihad. Abu Dardaa is the head of the Lagina (Dept) of public enlightenment and not the spokesman,” the man said.
The militant went on to say that Dardaa was asked by the sect to meet with government officials after the group had decided to respond to the government’s call for dialogue.
“The arrest of Abu Dardaa is an outright deception and betrayal by the Nigerian government and security agents. They proclaimed dialogue and are doing the opposite. His arrest has proved to us that they were waiting for us to avail ourselves so that they can arrest us.
“We purposely sent Abu Dardaa to Kaduna to discuss with some key government functionaries on the issue of dialogue. Indeed, he had started talking to them but unknown to him, they (had) directed some security agents to trail him and arrest him.
“This is exactly what happened. He volunteered to present himself for the dialogue but was betrayed. Everybody knows our capability and tactics of operation. It is evidently clear that none of our members could be caught on a platter of gold and without confrontation.”
He added that their plan was to hold further meetings with government after the exploratory talks.
He said, “We initially thought that the much talked about dialogue was true and we actually resolved that after the initial meeting with Dardaa, we would send five representatives to stand for us.
“Part of what we told him to discuss with the government representatives was the unconditional release of our members as pre-condition for any further discussion.”
Qada urged government to release all their members in detention, adding that it was the only panacea for peace.
“I want to reiterate that we want all our members to be released for peace to return and for dialogue to hold.”
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