[Daily Nation (Kenya)] A member of Islamist group Boko Haram... not to be confused with Procol Harum, Harum Scarum, possibly to be confused with Helter Skelter. Currently wearing a false nose and moustache and answering to Jama'atu Ahlus-Sunnah Lidda'Awati Wal Jihad, or
Big Louie...
has confirmed one of the group's high-ranking members was locked away, but refuted reports that the jugged person was its front man.
In a phone conference with journalists in the northeastern city of Maiduguri late Thursday, the man said Boko Haram's head of "public enlightenment" Abu Dardaa was locked away and not front man Abul Qaqa.
The man speaking on the phone claimed to be Abul Qaqa himself, but his voice sounded different from previous such conferences in which the purported front man has grabbed credit for scores of deadly attacks.
There has also long been speculation over whether those going by the aliases Abul Qaqa and Abu Dardaa are the same person.
"We want to react on what security agents said regarding the arrest of one of our members," the man said.
"The person that was locked away was Abu Dardaa and not Abul Qaqa. I am Abul Qaqa ... Abu Dardaa is the head of the 'Lajina', the department of public enlightenment, and not the front man."
A senior secret police official, speaking on condition of anonymity
... for fear of being murdered...
, said it appeared the person who issued the comments was indeed connected to Boko Haram, but he dismissed the statements as propaganda.
"It is no surprise they are making this ridiculous claim," the source said. "Abul Qaqa is part of the 11-member Shura council, the sect's decision-making body, and his arrest is a serious setback to the sect."
Security sources said Wednesday that a suspect believed to be the person who goes by the alias Abul Qaqa had been locked away. Authorities have not officially confirmed his detention or his identity.
The man claiming to speak on behalf of Boko Haram alleged that Dardaa was locked away when he was sent to the northern city of Kaduna for negotiations with government officials.
"The arrest of Abu Dardaa is an outright deception and betrayal by the Nigerian Government and security agents," he said.
With authorities unable to stop attacks blamed on Boko Haram, there have been growing calls for dialogue to bring an end to the violence.