Zakari allegedly killed seven people recently.

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The Nigeria Police on Tuesday said its detectives attached to the Bauchi State Command arrested one Mohammed Zakari, 30, whom it described as a senior member of the Boko Haram sect.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, in Abuja.

The statement described Mr. Zakari, who hails from Kaigamari Village, Daptchari in Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State as “the self styled chief butcher” of the insurgent camp.

The statement alleged that he was linked to the recent slaughter of seven people, including women and children. It said that the suspect was arrested on Saturday at about 2 p.m. following a massive onslaught by security forces against the activities of insurgents in the Balmo forest in Bauchi State.

The military had announced last week that it reclaimed the forest from the insurgents.

The police added that Mr. Zakari was arrested on Darazo-Basrika road while fleeing from intensive counter insurgency operations around the forest.

Mr. Zakari was said to have been tutored in the art of insurgency at Gombe forest under the leadership of another fleeing insurgent, Abba Taura.

The police said the suspect moved to Balmo forest only three months ago.

“He was discovered to have actively participated in the April attack against customs officers at Kari town, along Maiduguri road, Bauchi State,” it said.

Meanwhile, the Police High Command had urged people in the affected area to be on guard for any suspicious or strange person fleeing from the forest.

(NAN)