Intelligence sources have confirmed that leader of the dreaded Boko Haram, officially known as Jama’at Ahl as-Sunnah Lid Da’wah Wa’l- Jihad (JAS) Abubakar Shekau is finally dead.
This follows ISWAP’s attack on Sambisa, the acclaimed fortress of Shekau, led by ISWAP commander, Baana Duguri. Shekau allegedly blew himself up, to avoid being captured alive during a fierce gun duel in their Sambisa Forest hideouts. Recall that Shekau had been reported killed in another gun battle between men of the Nigerian Army and Boko Haram insurgents, years ago.
Sambisa forest shares local border with parts of Konduga, Bama, Gwoza Askira Uba, Hawul, Kaga and Biu Local Government Areas in Borno, with some parts of Gujiba, Buni Yadi, Goniri in Yobe and Madagali in Adamawa state.
Other sources 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.
Although there is no official statement or confirmation of the death of the terrorist by Nigerian security forces, many took to social media platforms celebrating Shekau’s death on Thursday morning.
According to a security report obtained “… unconfirmed sources report that the leader of JAS Abubakar Shekau was dethroned and killed by ISWAP and they have taken over the entire sambisa forest.
“With these development ISWAP are more equipped and funded than JAS. So, their mode of operation will change, and there is likely going to experience frequent attacks around Konduga, Bama, Gwoza, Biu LGA’S and parts of Adamawa.
All humanitarian service providers around the axis are encuraged to be security conscious and be very vigilant.