Presumed new leader of Nigeria’s Boko Haram confirms death of former leader earlier this month

The Nigerian jihadist group Boko Haram has confirmed the death of its former leader, Abubakar Shekau, who died early this month fighting the rival militant group, the Islamic State in West Africa (Islamic State's West Africa Province, ISWAP). The news was announced by Boko Haram's presumed new leader, Bakura Modu (known as Sahaba), in a video sent by verified sources on Wednesday (16 June) to Agence-France Presse (AFP).

In the video, Sahaba, an important Boko Haram commander known by experts to be based on Lake Chad, asks "Allah to bless the soul of Shekau", who died "as a martyr", and condemns the leader of ISWAP, Abu Musab Al -Barnawi, for having killed him.

In his message, Sahaba calls for revenge against the rival group, which split from Boko Haram in 2016. 

ISWAP announced on 6 June in an audio recording given to AFP the death of Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram’s leader since the death of its founder, Mohammed Yusuf, in 2009. Shakau reportedly blew himself up during fighting between the two rival groups in the Sambisa Forest in northeastern Nigeria. 

 

source: commonspace.eu with agencies
photo: Abubakar Shekau in a video screenshot; YouTube

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
UK, Canada and majority of EU Member States condemn Israel for ‘inhumane killing’ and say the war in Gaza ‘must end now’.

UK, Canada and majority of EU Member States condemn Israel for ‘inhumane killing’ and say the war in Gaza ‘must end now’.

Israel’s isolation is increasing as twenty eight countries including the United Kingdom and a majority of Member States of the European Union issued a joint statement on Monday 21 July saying the war in Gaza “must end now” and condemning Israel over 'inhumane killing' of Gaza civilians seeking aid. The foreign ministers of countries, also including Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, France, Italy and Japan, said “the suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths.” The statement described as “horrifying” the recent deaths of over 800 Palestinians who were seeking aid, according to the figures released by Gaza’s Health Ministry and the U.N. human rights office.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
UK, Canada and majority of EU Member States condemn Israel for ‘inhumane killing’ and say the war in Gaza ‘must end now’.

UK, Canada and majority of EU Member States condemn Israel for ‘inhumane killing’ and say the war in Gaza ‘must end now’.

Israel’s isolation is increasing as twenty eight countries including the United Kingdom and a majority of Member States of the European Union issued a joint statement on Monday 21 July saying the war in Gaza “must end now” and condemning Israel over 'inhumane killing' of Gaza civilians seeking aid. The foreign ministers of countries, also including Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, France, Italy and Japan, said “the suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths.” The statement described as “horrifying” the recent deaths of over 800 Palestinians who were seeking aid, according to the figures released by Gaza’s Health Ministry and the U.N. human rights office.