In a major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism in the Lake Chad region, Chadian security forces have arrested Abdrahman Yusuf, the 18-year-old son of late Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf.
Sources confirmed that Abdrahman, who was serving as a field commander for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), was captured alongside five other suspected terrorists during a well-coordinated military operation carried out by Chadian operatives.
Abdrahman is believed to have been the head of the six-man terrorist cell linked to ISWAP, a splinter group that broke away from Boko Haram in 2016. Intelligence officials described the operation as a strategic victory in the ongoing battle against extremist insurgents operating across Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger.
According to sources familiar with the operation, Abdrahman Yusuf is the younger brother of ISWAP’s current leader, Habib Yusuf, also known as Abu Mus’ab Al-Barnawi. While the Chadian authorities confirmed the arrest of six suspected ISWAP members, they withheld specific identities, likely due to ongoing investigations.
Abdrahman’s capture is being viewed as a significant step forward in regional counter-terrorism efforts, especially given his prominent role in coordinating ISWAP activities in the Lake Chad area. His cell was reportedly involved in organizing attacks, recruiting fighters, and facilitating the movement of weapons and logistics.
Abdrahman Yusuf is the son of Mohammed Yusuf, the radical Islamist preacher who founded Boko Haram in the early 2000s in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. Mohammed Yusuf preached a hardline version of Islam and openly opposed Western education and values. His fiery sermons drew many followers, mostly young people, and laid the foundation for what later became one of Africa’s most deadly terrorist groups.
Yusuf was captured by Nigerian forces in July 2009 following a violent clash between his followers and security agencies in Maiduguri. He was later killed in police custody under controversial circumstances, which further inflamed tensions and led to the radicalisation of more young men.
After Yusuf’s death, Boko Haram evolved into a full-fledged insurgent group under the leadership of Abubakar Shekau, and later splintered when ISWAP was formed. The Islamic State recognised ISWAP in 2016 and installed Habib Yusuf, also known as Abu Mus’ab Al-Barnawi, as the faction’s leader.
Abdrahman, reportedly born before the full outbreak of the Boko Haram insurgency, is believed to have grown up within the group’s extremist environment. Intelligence sources say he was indoctrinated at a very young age and has risen rapidly through the ranks of ISWAP.
The Lake Chad region has long been the center of violent attacks, kidnappings, and deadly ambushes carried out by Boko Haram and ISWAP. These groups have killed tens of thousands and displaced millions of people, especially in northeastern Nigeria.
Chadian forces have in recent years taken a more aggressive stance in battling insurgents within their borders and have cooperated closely with regional partners under the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which includes Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad.
A security source familiar with the operation said, “This arrest is an important step in disrupting ISWAP’s network. Abdrahman was not just any fighter – he was a field commander. Getting someone of his profile means fewer attacks, at least in the short term.”
While the arrest of Abdrahman Yusuf offers a moment of relief and hope for affected communities, experts warn that the fight against terrorism in the region is far from over. ISWAP, Boko Haram, and other armed groups still maintain operational cells, and their ability to recruit and radicalize remains a significant threat.
The Nigerian government has yet to officially react to the development, but observers say regional cooperation and intelligence sharing will be key to sustaining the momentum against terrorism in the Lake Chad area.
As investigations continue, authorities are expected to gather more intelligence from the captured fighters, which could lead to further arrests and the disruption of other terrorist operations in the region.
