Suspected members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) have reportedly caused the death of the leader of the dreaded Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau during a fierce battle between the rival groups in their Sambisa Forest hideouts on Wednesday, May 19.
According to a report by the Vanguard, sources say hundreds of ISWAP fighters invaded Sambisa with heavy gun trucks during the week hunting for Shekau.
The report said that Shekau was not directly killed by ISWAP but blew himself up when ISWAP attempted to capture him alive during a gun duel.
However, there was no official statement or confirmation on the death of the most wanted terrorist leader, Shekau by the Nigerian security forces.
The Vanguard quoted a security report quoted, “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.”
The Nigerian Army said it is studying the report from AFP that Shekau has died.
Army spokesman, Mohammed Yerima said “We are investigating” the death of Shekau.
It was gathered that ISWAP, which had broken away from the Shekau-led Boko Haram faction in 2016 after pledging allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS), raided the group’s hideout using multiple gun trucks.
It was reported that Shekau’s enclave was tracked down by ISWAP using its forces based in the Timbuktu Triangle. His fighters were killed in the process, followed by a long gunfire exchange between the invading group and Shekau’s bodyguards.
HumAngle reported that after his bodyguards were subdued, Shekau surrendered and engaged in an hours-long meeting with the ISWAP fighters. 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. They had expected Shekau to issue a statement.
Sources within the insurgency, however, said that Shekau who secretly had a suicide vest on eventually blew himself up alongside everyone present during the negotiations.
