More than two weeks after fierce fighting between rival jihadist factions in northeastern Nigeria, the group Islamic State of West Africa (Iswap) announced the death of Abubakar Shekau, the historical leader of Boko Haram, in an audio message. This announcement specifically confirms that Abubakar Shekau blew up his explosive belt so as not to have to give up, while being besieged by the men of Iswap, in the heart of his bastion.
as reported from Lagos, Liza Fabbian
“Shekau preferred humiliation in the following over humiliation on earth,” says the recording, which is broadcast on Iswap’s regular communication channels. In other words, the jihadist leader chose to kill himself by detonating his explosive belt rather than to fall into the hands of their enemies.
Today, they rejoice at his death and condemn in their message the “unimaginable atrocities” committed by Abubakar Shekau. Its bloodthirsty methods, especially against Muslim civilians, had already triggered the division of the Boko Haram group in 2016.
Since then, Iswap has expanded its control area from the Lake Chad region by mainly attacking the Nigerian army, while Shekau had taken over the leadership of a historic faction of Boko Haram from its warehouse in Sambisa.
After his death, the Islamic State group clearly appears in a dominant position. But we will still have to deal with groups that are still loyal to Abubakar Shekau established in the region. Some have already launched attacks on jihadists affiliated with the Islamic State in recent days.
Following the capture of the Sambisa forest, Iswap sent messages to the people around Lake Chad to encourage them to join the “caliphate”.
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