Arrested terrorist is a brother to Presidential body guard, Presidency confirms

Dimeji Akinloye 

The allegations have necessitated the Presidency to carry out thorough background checks and minor reshuffle of security in the State House

One of the suspected Boko Harammembers arrested in Kogi State in April 2016 is a brother to one of PresidentMuhammadu Buhari's body guard.

According to ThisDay, the allegations have necessitated the Presidency to carry out thorough background checks and minor reshuffle of security in the State House.

A newspaper quoted a Presidency source to have said none of the Presidential body guards who are mostly from the Nigerian Army, including the one whose brother was apprehended, is a member of any terrorist organisation.

“Yes, a suspected Boko Haram member was arrested in Kogi State but he is not one of the BGs (Body Guards) in the villa,” the source said.

It had been reported that a member of Buhari’s security guard linked to Boko Haram was arrested.

The report said the suspected terrorist has strong links to the deputy leader of theWilyat Gharb Ifrqyyah terror group.

It alleged that the suspect and Army Corporal named Hassan Aminu were arrested, forcing the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) to overhaul of the president’s security agents.

“Aminu is strongly linked to leaders of the Boko Haram cell and was nabbed before he could carry out any plot.

“He has serious ties with the leader of the Ansaru Islamic Sect, Khalid Albarnawi, second in command to Abubakar Shekau in the hierarchy of the dreaded Boko Haram Sect,” the report alleged.

A senior officer in the Presidency however dismissed the claims, stressing that none of their officers was linked to the terror group.

But the officer confirmed that the man arrested in Kogi State indeed confessed that he is related to one of the Presidential body guards.

He said most of the officers and people from the North-east might have one or two of their relatives as members of Boko Haram “but that does not make the concerned individuals a culprit.”

“Are you telling me that if your brother is a doctor that makes you a doctor. That is not the way to view these issues especially when its an open secret that these terrorists even kill their parents and siblings,” the officer noted.

The source added that the officer whose relative is linked to the terrorists has been withdrawn from the Presidential Body Guards and is currently facing further interrogation.u