Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the Boko Haram terrorist group, was killed by suspected members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) on Wednesday, unconfirmed reports have said.
Boko Haram which has been in operation since 2002 have been headquartered inside the Sambisa Forest in Borno State since 2015. The group also carried out mass abductions of school children, including the kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno in April 2014 and the abductions in Dapchi, Yobe State in 2018.
Their leader, Shekau, has been reportedly killed several times by the Nigerian Army. However, on each occasion, he would release a video to discredit the military claims.
JUST IN: Shekau Reportedly Killed By ISWAP In Sambisa Forest
But, on Thursday, several news outlets said hundreds of ISWAP fighters invaded Sambisa with heavy gun trucks during the week hunting for Shekau who was the factional leader of Boko Haram.
It was also revealed that Shekau was not actually or directly killed by ISWAP, the splinter rival group, but blew himself up and committed suicide when ISWAP attempted to capture him (Shekau) alive during a gun duel, Vanguard reported.
Although there was no official statement or confirmation on the death of the most wanted terrorist leader, Shekau by Nigerian security forces, a lot of people took to their social media platforms celebrating Shekau’s death on Thursday morning.
Several also express fears that ISWAP, which has been known to be more civilian friendly than Boko Haram, will pose a bigger threat.
Eons Intelligence, in a Twitter thread, noted that while Shekau’s death may be cheering news if true, it still does not portend any advantage for Nigeria.
Boko Haram Leader, Abubakar Shekau Reveals Why He Can’t Be Arrested
“Shekau’s death may mean weakness and destabilization of JAS but gains and strength for ISWAP who are better armed and more organized,” it added.
On his part, one Baba Gaddafi/@MustyK01 tweeted: “We shouldn’t even be rejoicing about this news since the elimination didn’t emanate from our army. Whatever takes out a lion is certainly a bigger threat than the lion itself.”
Ever and Ever/@EbereTimothy, who seemed to doubt news of Shekau’s most recent death, wrote: “How many times they want to kill this man. Even cat no get this number of lives.”
One Bala Mohammed/@balamoh saw the news of Shekau’s death from ISWAP, a breakaway faction of Boko Haram, as prayers answered.
He wrote on Twitter, “God has answered our collective prayers. May He continue to cause confusion and destruction in all their camps. I don’t own my appreciation to any terrorists for the deaths of any terrorists, other than God Almighty. God bless Nigeria.
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