A column of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters using gun trucks invaded Shekau-led group stronghold in the Sambisa forest on Wednesday…
Abubakar Shekau, leader of the Boko Haram sect, was killed during a face-off with fighters of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), according to reports.
Citing an intelligence report, Daily Trust had reported how the Boko Haram leader lost his life after a fierce gun battle with ISWAP fighters.
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In a report on the incident, it is rumored that some prominent ISWAP commanders were killed alongside Shekau.
The platform said ISWAP fighters in gun trucks had invaded Sambisa forest, a stronghold of the late Shekau’s group, on Wednesday, and Shekau was forced to surrender after his men were overpowered.
They had reportedly asked the Boko Haram leader to relinquish power but he was said to have opted to take his life rather than doing so.
“After his bodyguards were subdued, Shekau surrendered and engaged in hours-long meeting with the ISWAP fighters. During the parley, he was asked to voluntarily relinquish power and order his fighters in other areas to declare bai’a (allegiance) to ISWAP’s authority. They had expected Shekau to issue a statement.
“Sources within the insurgency, however, said that Shekau who secretly had a suicide vest on eventually blew himself up alongside everyone present during the negotiations. The identities of the people within ISWAP’s leadership who lost their lives to the explosion” The Scope News can not immediately confirm
After the death of the group’s founder, Mohammed Yusuf, in 2009, Shekau emerged the spiritual leader of Boko Haram. Several times in the past, Shekau was rumoured to have been killed and fatally wounded during military operations.
But he subsequently debunked the claims by releasing videos and audios.
Deep disagreement among Boko Haram leaders had led to confrontation with Shekau.
Citing Shekau’s rigidity, Abu Musab, a son of Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf, and a top lieutenant, Mamman Nur, broke away from him.
The break-way faction graduated to ISWAP and moved to Alagano and Lake Chad Basin, where they reigned.
Even though the military authorities are yet to comment on the news about Shekau’s death, Daily Trust learnt that ISWAP’s claim is being verified.
Both the Department of State Services (DSS) and the army authorities are said to be verifying the claim.
U S react – ISIS Won’t Get $7m Bounty Placed On Shekau
The US State Department has said the Islamic State in West Africa Province will not get the $7 million bounty it placed on Abubakar…
The US State Department has said the Islamic State in West Africa Province will not get the $7 million bounty it placed on Abubakar Shekau, leader of the Boko Haram sect.
Responding to reports on the death of the terrorist leader, the State Department said the bounty is not meant for a group under ISIS.
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“News reports today indicate that Boko Haram terrorist Abubakar Shekau blew himself up in a confrontation with ISIS affiliates. Hey, ISIS guys. To clarify: no – you are not eligible for the reward for information on his identity or location. That’s not how the program works,” the US State Department for justice
On June 21, 2012, the U.S. Department of State designated Shekau a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224.
One year later, a $7 million bounty was placed on him.
“Abubakar Shekau is the leader of Jama’atu Ahl as-Sunnah il-Da’awati wal-Jihad, more commonly known as Boko Haram. Boko Haram, which means “Western education is forbidden,” is a Nigeria-based terrorist organization that seeks to overthrow the current Nigerian government and replace it with a regime based on Islamic law. The group has existed in various forms since the late 1990s. There are reported communications, training, and weapons links between Boko Haram, al-Qaida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), al-Shabaab, and al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, which may strengthen Boko Haram’s capacity to conduct terrorist attacks,” read the statement Rewards for Justice issued when a bounty was placed on Shekau.
