The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) reported that Habibu Bama was arrested in Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State, following a shootout with the military joint task force.
The report did not give details of the operation. Security sources however said Bama was shot and wounded.
Bama, a suspected member of Islamist group Boko Haram, was declared wanted by the secret police in February following the deadly Christmas attack on a church in Madalla, near Abuja which killed at least 44 people.
Boko Haram has been blamed for bomb and gun attacks, mainly in Nigeria`s northeast, that have claimed more than 1,000 lives since mid-2009.
The sect`s attacks have grown increasingly sophisticated and have spread from the group`s base in the northeast across the wider north and down to the capital Abuja, in the centre of the country.
It claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing of UN headquarters in Abuja in August that killed at least 25 people and a suicide attack on the Abuja office of one of the country`s most prominent newspapers.
Its deadliest attack yet occurred in the northern city of Kano in January, when at least 185 people died in coordinated bombings and shootings.
The United States on Thursday designated three leaders of the Boko Haram as terrorists in a bid to stem the mounting violence in Nigeria. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
