The Nigerian Government yesterday unnamed leading northern politicians of sponsoring Boko Haram terrorist group which has made parts of the country’s North-East virtually ungovernable.

Briefing journalists in Abuja, Coordinator of the Joint Information Centre for Security, Mr. Mike Omeri, said the politicians had been arrested and were being interrogated.

According to Omeri, some of the items recovered from the suspected members of the Boko Haram sect, implicating the politicians, include some sensitive registration card.

The agency refused to mention the names of the politicians, but promised that the security agencies would not condone involvement of politicians in activities that threaten national security.

He said: “After the last successful operations carried out by security forces to dislodge terrorists from their forest base in Darazo Local Government Area, end of the Balmo forest, some politicians are currently being investigated, following their link with activities in the forest.

“The politicians are being interrogated, following the recovery of some sensitive registration cards and other materials of a prominent political party that were found in the possession of some of the suspects arrested.

“Investigation is still ongoing to further unravel the identity of others that may have been involved and as soon as it is completed, we shall reveal the names of the culprits and the political party.”

Omeri emphasised that “the government, particularly the security forces and security agencies, will not condone involvement of politicians in security matters where the interest of our country is concerned and involved.”

Boko Haram terrorists have wreaked serious havoc in Nigeria in the last four years, leaving several persons dead and many others maimed.

Their actions have been condemned by the international community that is now providing Nigeria intelligence support to ensure that the acts of terrorism cease.

•Partly based on reports from Channels TV and Nigerian Tribune. Photo shows Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau.

Update news