BORNO: Shekau injured, deputy killed in aerial bombardment

Incoming reports suggest that Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau was injured in an airstrike by the Nigerian military at Balla village inside Borno state.

One of Shekau’s deputies was also reportedly killed in the aerial bombardment in the village where Boko Haram sect members had gathered to pray.

“Shekau was wounded in the bombings and is believed to be receiving treatment near the Nigerian border with Cameroon around Kolofata. His deputy, Abba Mustapha, alias Malam Abba, was killed in the attack along with another key lieutenant, Abubakar Gashua, alias Abu Aisha,” a military source said.

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Also confirming the incident, Baba Kolo, a member of the state Civilian Joint Taskfoce, said; “Shekau was injured and a number of commanders were killed. Among them is his deputy called Malam Abba. They suffered heavy casualties because the bombings targeted a large gathering of his followers attending Friday prayers.”

A senior military officer in Maiduguri also confirmed that the air force bombed Boko Haram positions “in the Damboa area on Friday where they hit the targets with precision”. “We got intel (intelligence) that the terrorists were gathering at the location and we acted on the report,” he added, requesting anonymity as he was not authorised to speak about the operation.

 

 

 

 

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