The women were said to have been apprehended in Medina after they were spotted in a mosque.
Saudi authorities have reportedly arrested two women identified as the wife and mother of Ado Aliero, a wanted Nigerian terrorist leader. The duo was apprehended in Medina after being spotted in a mosque, according to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication. A video of the women was shared on social media and tagged to the Nigerian Army headquarters.
Aliero, declared wanted by Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters in 2020 and again in 2024, was turbaned as Sarkin Fulani in Zamfara in 2022 despite his alleged terrorist activities. The arrest comes as Nigerian and Saudi authorities strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation.
When contacted, Army spokesperson Onyinyechi Anele described the matter as “a strategic issue that involves bilateral security issues,” declining further comment. Security analysts suggest the detention could provide crucial intelligence on Aliero’s network.
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