Shekau speaks again

Abubakar Shekau has denied being replaced as the leader of the Boko Haram in a new audio message just released.
According to the BBC, in the message, addressed to the leader of the Islamic State (IS) militant group to whom Boko Haram had pledged allegiance, Shekau said he was still the leader of Boko Haram.
He had not featured in the group’s recent videos, prompting speculations he had been killed or incapacitated.
Last week the Chadian President, Idris Deby, said that Shekau had been replaced.
Shekau described as “blatant lies” reports that he was no longer in charge.
“I am alive,” he said, adding, “I will only die when the time appointed by Allah comes.”
The eight-minute-long recording mocked a recent statement by President Muhammadu Buhari that Boko Haram would be eliminated within three months.
Shekau took over as the group’s leader after its founder, Muhammad Yusuf, died in police custody in July 2009.

You may also like: Boko Haram has a new leader, says Chad President

Under his leadership, Boko Haram has become more radical and has carried out more killings.
In numerous videos, Shekau had taunted the Nigerian authorities, celebrating the group’s violent acts including the abduction of the more than 200 Chibok schoolgirls in April 2014.
Last month, Buhari said he would be willing to negotiate with the Boko Haram leadership for the release of the Chibok girls – depending on the credibility of those saying they represented the group.
A previous prisoner-swap attempt ended in failure.

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now