Abubakar Shekau allegedly dies as Boko Haram and ISWAP members clash in Sambisa forest
Suspected members of Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) have reportedly caused the death of Boko Haram factional leader, Abubakar Shekau, during a clash between the rival groups in their Sambisa Forest hideouts on Wednesday, May 19.
Nigeria’s newspaper, Vanguard, quoted sources as saying that hundreds of ISWAP fighters invaded Sambisa with heavy gun trucks during the week hunting for Shekau.
The report indicated that Shekau committed suicide by blowing himself off before ISWAP, the splinter rival group got to him.
Vanguard quoted a security report as follows:
“Unconfirmed source reported 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 part of Adamawa.
All humanitarians around the axis should be security conscious and be very vigilant.”
There is no confirmation from military sources yet. That however did not deter many social media users in Nigeria from celebrating the rumoured demise of the most wanted terrorist in Nigeria this (Thursday) morning.
