Islamist terrorist group, Boko Haram have finally confirmed the death of its leader and urged fighters to stay loyal in its fight against rival Islamic State militants.
Bakura Modu Sahalaba, a fighter with the Lake Chad branch of Boko Haram, in a new video urged its men to fight on, speaking of the readiness of the group to work with the Islamic state of Iraq and Syria.
The video was released about a month after reports of rival Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP)’s invasion of Boko Haram camp emerged.
Shekau’s enclave was reportedly tracked down by ISWAP using its forces based in the Timbuktu Triangle.
Read Also: Boko Haram Leader, Abubakar Shekau Reportedly Dead As ISWAP Fighters Invade Sambisa Forest
His fighters were killed in the process, followed by a long gunfire exchange between the invading group and Shekau’s men.
According to multiple reports, after his me were subdued, Shekau surrendered and engaged in an hours-long meeting with the ISWAP fighters.
The regional affiliate of Islamic State, ISWAP has sought to absorb Shekau’s fighters and unify the groups which during Shekau’s tenure fought one another for control of territory in northeast Nigeria and around Lake Chad, Reuters reports.
During the parley, he was asked to voluntarily relinquish power and order his fighters in other areas to declare bai’a (allegiance) to ISWAP’s authority, expecting Shekau to issue a statement.
However, Shekau, who had evaded the Nigerian military for years, died by blowing up himself with an explosive.
Read Also: Boko Haram Leader Abubakar Shekau Reappears After Health Questions
Modu who appeared in a new video spoke of the readiness of the group to work with the International State in Iraq and Syria.
His statement in Arabic was said to have confirmed the death of the erstwhile leader, Shekau, as he prayed for Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the former spiritual leader and called on fighters who had been with Shekau not to lose heart but to brace up with realities and find their ways to the fold.
It is alleged that Modu is the new leader of the group as he addressed the public, however, this was not stated in the video
Read Also: Boko Haram: Abubakar Shekau Is On The Run; Disguises As Woman In Hijab – Army
Reacting to the death of Shekau, Barr. Audu Bulama Bukarti of Tony Blair Institute for Global Change who spoke to BBC Hausa service said this is an opportunity for the Nigeria military to cash on the infighting amongst the terrorist group to finish them once and for all.
Bukarti expressed that the death of Shekau was a heavy blow on the terrorist faction under his leadership and doubt if the new leader has the capacity to do what Shekau did during his reign of terror across the northeast region.
Modu who was surrounded in the video by top commanders of the former spiritual leader, Abubakar Shelby, was allegedly said to have led a fight to ISWAP camp killing many fighters and top commanders loyal to Abu Musab Al Haznawi.
Bukarti also said that Abu Musab Albarnawi is currently losing ground as the leader of ISWAP as group members have likened him to the wicked son of the prophet implying that his late father, Mohammed Yusuf has led the ground well but his leadership is bringing more uncertainty in their ideology.
Watch the Boko Haram video below;
Video: Boko- haram confirmed death of Shekau, new leader emerged.pic.twitter.com/sdeEaC0hhh
— Olu Of Naija Blog (@Oluofnaijablog) June 15, 2021
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