Niamey, Feb 13 (IANS): The suspected mastermind behind different attacks by the Boko Haram Islamist group in Niger's Diffa region near the Nigerian border has been arrested by Nigerian security forces, media reported.

Xinhua cited Niger's Anfani private radio station as reporting Thursday that the suspect, going by the name Kaka Bounou, was a trader based in Diffa. He had the title of a captain in Boko Haram and was behind all the attacks carried out in Diffa.

"He is a habitual offender who has been arrested several times and released, including by the Nigerian judiciary," the same source said.

Elsewhere, security forces in Maine-Soroa town, 80 km west of Diffa, Thursday managed to intercept a suicide bomber who was carrying explosives.

Niger's forces have continued with the fight against Boko Haram and are still in Nigerian territory where they have liberated the town of Damasak that had been held by the Islamists for a long time.