Аl-Qaeda-linked Nigeria Islamist group head “arrested”April 4, 2016 - 19:35 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The leader of al-Qaeda-linked Islamist group Ansaru has been arrested in Nigeria, authorities there say, BBC News reports. A military spokesman said Khalid al-Barnawi was captured in Lokoja, capital of the central state of Kogi. The US had placed a $5m bounty on his head after branding him one of three Nigerian "specially designated global terrorists" in 2012. Ansaru is a splinter group of Nigeria's largest jihadist group, Boko Haram, known for kidnapping foreigners. Ideologically aligned to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, it is also accused of killing a number of Westerners. Ansaru said it carried out an attack on a maximum security prison in the Nigerian capital Abuja in 2012, freeing dozens of inmates. "Security agents made a breakthrough on Friday in the fight against terrorism by arresting Khalid al-Barnawi, the leader of Ansaru terrorist group in Lokoja," military spokesman Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar said. "He is among those on top of the list of our wanted terrorists." Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |