(TheRedWire.com) – The leader of the Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram evaded authorities and many false reports of his death for years. The terrorist group has waged an ongoing bloody war against Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad.
Abubakar Shekau was a ruthless leader who led the terrorist organization responsible for suicide bombings at crowded markets, bus stations, schools, churches and mosques. In 2014, Shekau became well-known for abducting 276 schoolgirls and stating that he “enjoyed killing.”
Boko Haram attacks killed tens of thousands of people and displaced over 2.3 million more. According to a jihadi group linked to ISIS, Shekau killed himself instead of surrendering to authorities.
BREAKING: A jihadi organization linked to the Islamic State group says the leader of Nigerian extremist group Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, has killed himself by detonating explosives after a battle. https://t.co/8AVURgSVev
— AP Africa (@AP_Africa) June 9, 2021
It allegedly happened after a battle with a rival terrorist group led him to flee. According to rival leader Abu Mus’ab Al-Barnawi, they chased Shekau for five days. When Al-Barnawi caught up to him, the terrorist leader killed himself instead of being taken into custody by the rival group. Al-Barnawi said they told Shekau they didn’t want to kill the “defiant and corrupt leader.”
Shekau’s death may destabilize the region. The groups are likely to seize on Shekau’s death to develop a caliphate. As they do so, they will attract the disgruntled who face inequality, poverty, and segregation.
Copyright 2021, TheRedWire.com
