Nigerian army raids militant unit linked to abductions

Abuja, July 1 (IANS) The Nigerian military raided a Boko Haram intelligence unit thought to be linked to the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls, media report said Tuesday.

According to a military statement, the unit's leader Babuji Ya'ari was arrested, BBC reported.

Ya'ari, a former businessman, has been actively involved in the abduction of the girls in Chibok in the Nigerian state of Borno as well as the killing of a traditional leader in May, the statement added.

Nigeria's defence ministry said that the military had also arrested women from the militant group's intelligence unit.

Boko Haram militants abducted more than 200 girls from their school in Borno state April 14, most are still missing.

The group says it will not free the girls until authorities release all imprisoned militants.

The government says it knows where the abductees are, but that a rescue could lead to the girls being killed.

The militants Sunday killed at least 50 people in churches near Chibok.