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Nigeria arrests Boko Haram 'head' Muhammed Hamza Aliyu Nigeria holds Boko Haram 'leader' Muhammed Hamza Aliyu
(about 2 hours later)
One of the leaders of Nigerian Islamist militant group Boko Haram has been arrested after a shoot-out in the northern city of Kano, police say. One of the leaders of Nigerian Islamist militant group Boko Haram has been arrested after a shoot-out in the city of Kano, security sources say.
Muhammed "Hamza" Aliyu was held as he tried to flee the city following an exchange of fire outside his residence, they said. Muhammed "Hamza" Aliyu was held as he tried to flee the city after seven people were killed in a gun-fight outside his residence, police said.
Three police officers and four militants were killed, according to Kano state police chief Ibrahim Idris. However, a source close to Boko Haram has denied that Mr Aliyu is one of the group's leaders.
Boko Haram has staged numerous attacks across northern and central Nigeria.Boko Haram has staged numerous attacks across northern and central Nigeria.
The group, whose name means Western education is forbidden, often targets the security forces and state institutions.The group, whose name means Western education is forbidden, often targets the security forces and state institutions.
In August it claimed responsibility for a bomb at the UN headquarters in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, which killed at least 23 people.In August it claimed responsibility for a bomb at the UN headquarters in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, which killed at least 23 people.
However, the BBC's Abdullahi Kaura Abubakar says that until last week, Kano, the biggest city in northern Nigeria, had been spared from the group's recent campaign of violence. The BBC's Abdullahi Kaura Abubakar says that until last week, Kano, the biggest city in northern Nigeria, had been spared from the group's recent campaign of violence.
On Thursday night, suspected members of the group attacked a military run secondary school near the city, killing four air force officers, hospital sources said.On Thursday night, suspected members of the group attacked a military run secondary school near the city, killing four air force officers, hospital sources said.
On Saturday, Mr Aliyu suspected that his house was under surveillance and called in members of his militant group to attack the police resulting in the shootout, Mr Idris said. On Saturday, Mr Aliyu suspected that his house was under surveillance and called in members of his militant group to attack the police resulting in the shoot-out, said Kano state police chief Ibrahim Idris.
He said three police officers and four militants were killed.
Weapons and ammunition suspected to have been stolen from recent attacks on police stations in northern Nigeria were found in his car, while bomb-making materials were located in his house, the police chief said.Weapons and ammunition suspected to have been stolen from recent attacks on police stations in northern Nigeria were found in his car, while bomb-making materials were located in his house, the police chief said.
Mr Idris said 14 people were detained.Mr Idris said 14 people were detained.
Mr Aliyu's arrest comes after that of a man accused of being the group's spokesman and a senator accused of concealing information about the militants.Mr Aliyu's arrest comes after that of a man accused of being the group's spokesman and a senator accused of concealing information about the militants.
However, a source close to Boko Haram described Mr Aliyu as a "new recruit" to the group.
The group first came to prominence in 2009 when hundreds of its followers were killed when they attacked police stations in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri.The group first came to prominence in 2009 when hundreds of its followers were killed when they attacked police stations in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri.
Its founder Mohammed Yusuf was arrested but died in police custody.Its founder Mohammed Yusuf was arrested but died in police custody.
Boko Haram resumed its attacks - mostly in Maiduguri - a year later and has since staged deadly raids across the mostly Muslim north, as well as central areas such as Jos and Abuja.Boko Haram resumed its attacks - mostly in Maiduguri - a year later and has since staged deadly raids across the mostly Muslim north, as well as central areas such as Jos and Abuja.
Under Yusuf's leadership, the group demanded that Nigeria become an Islamic state but it is now believed to be made up of several factions, with various demands.Under Yusuf's leadership, the group demanded that Nigeria become an Islamic state but it is now believed to be made up of several factions, with various demands.