Abubakar shekau latest news
Abubakar Shekau is the leader of the Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram. Here are some of the latest news and updates about him:
Recent Developments:
- In June 2021, Shekau was reportedly killed in a battle with Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a rival terrorist group, in the Sambisa Forest in northeastern Nigeria. However, there have been conflicting reports about his death, and some sources claim that he may still be alive.
- In July 2021, ISWAP released a video claiming to show Shekau's body, but the authenticity of the video has not been verified.
- In August 2021, the Nigerian military announced that it had killed several top Boko Haram commanders, including a senior leader who was believed to be Shekau's deputy.
Background:
- Abubakar Shekau was born in 1970 in Yola, Nigeria.
- He founded Boko Haram in 2002 as a radical Islamist group opposed to Western influence and the Nigerian government.
- Shekau has been responsible for numerous attacks and kidnappings in Nigeria, including the abduction of over 270 schoolgirls from Chibok in 2014.
- He has also been accused of ordering the killing of thousands of people, including civilians, soldiers, and fellow Muslims who did not share his extremist views.
International Reaction:
- The United States has designated Boko Haram as a terrorist organization and has offered a reward of up to $7 million for information leading to Shekau's capture or death.
- The European Union has also designated Boko Haram as a terrorist organization and has imposed sanctions on Shekau and other senior leaders.
- The Nigerian government has launched several military operations against Boko Haram, including Operation Lafiya Dole, which was launched in 2015 to defeat the group.
Challenges:
- Boko Haram has been able to adapt and evolve over the years, using tactics such as suicide bombings, kidnappings, and ambushes to attack its enemies.
- The group has also been able to exploit regional and ethnic divisions in Nigeria, using propaganda and intimidation to recruit new members.
- The Nigerian military has faced criticism for its handling of the conflict, including allegations of human rights abuses and corruption.
Overall, Abubakar Shekau remains a significant threat to regional and global security, and his death or capture would likely have significant implications for the conflict in Nigeria and the wider Sahel region.