Chadian Forces Capture Mohammed Yusuf Son

Muhammed Yusuf and His Son

In a development that could reshape the fight against extremism in West Africa, Chadian security forces apprehended an 18-year-old believed to be the son of Mohammed Yusuf, the notorious founder of Boko Haram. The arrest, confirmed through exclusive intelligence sources, took place during a targeted operation aimed at dismantling jihadist networks operating around Lake Chad Basin. This young man, known as Muslim Mohammed Yusuf, also called Abdrahman, is reportedly the younger brother of ISWAP leader Habib Yusuf (Abu Mus’ab Al-Barnawi) and was leading a small but dangerous cell affiliated with the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a breakaway faction of Boko Haram.

The operation resulted in the arrest of six suspects overall, with Abdrahman identified as the group's leader. Intelligence reports indicate that he was born in Nigeria just before Boko Haram's insurgency escalated in 2009, the same year his father was captured by Nigerian military forces and later died in police custody in Maiduguri on July 30. Raised in militancy from a young age, Abdrahman reportedly advanced to become a field commander within ISWAP's Lake Chad operations, overseeing activities that have caused ongoing violence in the region for more than a decade.

The operation resulted in the arrest of six suspects overall, with Abdrahman identified as the group's leader.

Counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, known for his profound insights into Lake Chad security issues, obtained exclusive photos of the detainees. These images show a slender, short young man dressed in a blue tracksuit, standing quietly among older suspects in traditional clothing. The group is handcuffed and lined up outside a building, with armed Chadian guards in the background. One notable detail is Abdrahman's facial resemblance to his late father—dark features, intense eyes, and a similar build—that has sparked discussions about the lasting influence of Boko Haram's founding family.

Additional visuals from the scene include close-up comparisons: one showing Mohammed Yusuf during his 2009 arrest, shirtless and surrounded by soldiers, juxtaposed with Abdrahman's recent capture. Short video clips show the detainees in a similar lineup, highlighting the young suspect's composed demeanor despite the seriousness of the situation.

While Chadian security officials have confirmed the arrest of six individuals suspected of links to Boko Haram and ISWAP, they have not disclosed their identities, citing ongoing investigations. However, sources close to the operation called it a "major breakthrough," highlighting the collaborative efforts among regional forces to fight cross-border terrorism. The Lake Chad Basin, shared by Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, remains a hotspot for insurgent activity, with ISWAP carrying out bold attacks on villages, military outposts, and humanitarian sites.

This arrest underscores the intergenerational aspect of jihadist groups in the region. Mohammed Yusuf's death in 2009 led to a violent escalation under his successor, Abubakar Shekau, before ISWAP broke off in 2016. Abdrahman's alleged involvement indicates that family ties still help sustain these networks, even as international and local forces step up their crackdowns.

As investigations continue, experts see this as a critical moment that could disrupt ISWAP's command structure and provide useful intelligence on ongoing threats. Regional stakeholders, including the Multinational Joint Task Force, are expected to monitor developments closely, hoping this results in further dismantling of terrorist cells in the area.

Stay tuned for updates as more details emerge from this high-stakes operation.