KOTA KINABALU: A member of the Abu Sayyaf Group and Daulah Islamiyah on the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) wanted list has been captured.
According to Philippines security sources, Abubakar Abdulcadir @ Basaron Arok was nabbed during a security operation in Barangay San Raymundo, in Jolo, Southern Philippines in the early hours of Wednesday (Sept 7).
Basaron, 35, a resident of Patikul in Sulu was arrested by a joint team from the Philippines Armed Forces and Philippines National Police at 6.19am local time, said the source.
He has been declared a terrorist by the Philippines authorities and is wanted in his home country in connection with a series of kidnappings, bombings and murders.
Basaron is also the head of the local Kidnap For Ransom Ajang-Ajang Group in Sulu and is being sought by the Malaysian authorities for his involvement in kidnappings on Sabah’s east coast.
As of updates in May, there are a total of 21 names remaining on the Esscom wanted list.
Esscom commander Deputy Commissioner Hamzah Ahmad has confirmed the arrest and said that the suspect was involved in a series of kidnap-for-ransom activities in Sabah over the past years. He, however, did not want to elaborate on this, saying they wish to investigate further before commenting.