Suspected Boko Haram militants including a local leader have been arrested.

Niger’s government has stepped measures in the ongoing war against the terrorist group, Boko Haram. After Parliament authorized the government to contribute soldiers to the regional force created by the African Union to the combat the terrorist group, the authorities have tighten security measures with the arrest of suspected local Boko Haram leader, Kaka Bonou  and different types of weapons taken from him Thursday, February 12, 2015, Reuters reported.

"Different type of weapons of all calibre including rocket launchers, were found in his house," Niger’s military source who requested for anonymity said, Reuters quoted. Kaka Bonu was identified as a trader known to authorities for suspected involvement in trafficking stolen goods, the security source reportedly said.

TVC News also reported that security officials arrested about 20 Boko Haram militants, all from neighbouring Nigeria who were suspected of planning attacks in the country’s south eastern part of the country, especially the town of Diffa. Niger’s Army Chief General Seyni Garba reportedly told the country’s troops in Mali during a visit that the Boko Haram militants were preparing attacks on markets and other gathering places in retaliation for Niger’s stance against the group. "The bloodbath planned by the terrorist organization to punish our country has fortunately been avoided," Garba was quoted as saying in
Monday's edition of Le Sahel, a Niger State-owned newspaper. The suspected Boko Haram militants was a cell planning attacks on Diffa and the surrounding areas, security officials said, adding that the militants were identified by Niger’s anti-terrorism unit and place under surveillance as soon as they enter Niger’s territory.

The local Governor of Zinder, Kalla Moutari also told the press on February 14, 2015 that several dozens of suspected people all citizens of Niger having links to Boko Haram have been arrested in the region of Zinder and sent to the anti-terrorist unit in the capital, Niamey. The suspects were arrested at checkpoints on access roads into Zinder, Niger's second largest city some 400 kilometres west of Diffa, Kalla Moutari reportedly said.