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Tag: Shekau

  • Shekau on Time’s 100 influential persons list

    Shekau on Time’s 100 influential persons list

    Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau has been named in the Time Magazine annual 100 influential people in the world list.

    In a release on Thursday by the magazine, Shekau described as “Scourge of Africa”  was named under the leaders category.

    He was named along with President-elect, General Mohammadu Buhari and former Minister of Education and leader of the Brigbackourgirls campaign group , Oby Ezekwesili

    Most Americans do not yet recognize his name, but the citizens of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, know Abubakar Shekau all too well: he is the most violent killer their country has ever seen. Shekau took over the terrorist organization Boko Haram in 2009 after the group had been weakened by Nigerian government forces.

    A brief profile of Shekau reads:

    “Shekau, who is believed to be in his 30s, began to stage increasingly daring kidnapping and killing raids on schools, churches and mosques thought by Boko Haram to be violating their interpretation of Islam. The taking of over 200 schoolgirls in April 2014 brought Boko Haram into the international spotlight.

    “By most accounts, Boko Haram has killed more than 10,000 people and is spreading into neighboring countries. Shekau’s latest action may finally summon a U.S. response: he has publicly aligned his group with ISIS, the terrorist group that holds territory in Syria and Iraq and has expanded its reach into Yemen and Libya.”

  • Troops mandated to capture Shekau alive

    Troops mandated to capture Shekau alive

    Troops have been mandated to ensure that Boko Haram leader Imam Abubakar Shekau is captured alive.

    Ground troops are expected to advance on Sambisa and Gwoza any moment from now, it was learnt yesterday.

    Top on the agenda of the military are the rescue of the Chibok girls and the capturing of Shekau.

    While the manhunt for Shekau begins, the military  are said to have reclaimed five key towns in Borno.

    The towns are: Baga, Monguno, Marte, Gamboru Ngala, and Dikwa.

    The military claimed that Shekau was killed in encounters with troops in September 2014 in Konduga. But Shekau later emerged, saying: “Here I am, alive. I will only die the day Allah takes my breath.”

    It was learnt that following persistent appearance of ‘Shekau’, the military decided to take advantage of the ongoing successful operations in the Northeast to launch a manhunt for him.

    A top military source said: “Troops have been put on red alert for any insurgents’ leader bearing the name of Imam Abubakar Shekau, who is believed to be desperately looking for escape routes.

    ”Troops have been urged to at all costs to capture Shekau alive so that he can face justice.

    ”On at least two occasions now, troops have killed characters calling themselves Abubakar Shekau in videos but the insurgents manage to find other individuals looking like him and pretend that he was still alive.

    ”The order to catch Shekau alive is therefore to ensure that it will no longer be possible to resort to the same trick.

    “The rumour about Shekau’s invincibility is one of the factors that troops are afraid to confront the terrorists.”

    The defunct Joint Task Force (JTF)  had on November 23, 2012  placed a ransom on 19 leaders of Boko Haram.

    The list  comprised five members of the Shurra Committee (the highest policy making body of the sect) and 14 Boko Haram commanders.

    But one of the Shurra  Committee members, Mohammed Zangina(a.k.a Mallam Abdullahi/Alh. Musa), with a N25million ransom, was allegedly killed in a shoot-out with the Joint Task Force(JTF) in Maiduguri.

    With Zangina out, four members of the Shurra Committee, including Imam Abubakar Shekau (N50million); Habibu Yusuf (a.k.a Asalafi) N25million; Khalid Albarnawai ( N25million); and Momodu Bama (N25 million) are still wanted.

    The fate of Momodu Bama was also unknown as at press time following conflicting reports on whether he is alive or dead.

    The Boko Haram Commanders being sought for by the JTF are:  Abu Saad (N10million); Abba Kaka (N10million); Abdulmalik Bama (N10million) Umar Fulata(N10million); Alhaji Mustapha (Massa) Ibrahim (N10million); Abubakar Suleiman-Habu (a.k.a Khalid) N10million; Hassan Jazair N10million; Ali Jalingo (N10million); Alhaji Musa Modu (N10million); Bashir Aketa (N10million); Abba Goroma (N10million); Ibrahim Bashir (N10million); Abubakar Zakariya (N10million); and Tukur Ahmed Mohammed (N10million).

    The military is said to have reclaimed five key towns from Boko Haram insurgents.

    These are Baga, Monguno, Marte, Gamboru Ngala and Dikwa.

    Another military source added: “Within a week of the massive operation, the troops have recovered Monguno, Marte, Gamboru Ngala, Dikwa among other big towns and several surrounding communities in Borno State.

    ”With acquisition of new equipment from various sources and the specialised training of the troops on guerrilla warfare, the military indirectly called the bluff of some deceptive western countries who are now trying to save face by claiming to work with our neighbours.

    ”The effective collaboration and mutual relationship with our neighbours is paying off as they now realise that inaction can pose disasters to their countries too.”

    An intelligence source gave insights into the factors behind the recent breakthrough of the troops.

    The source said: “Troops’ morale has been greatly boosted in recent times by arrival of sophisticated armaments and the decision of senior military officers to lead the war against terror directly which also influenced the change of some commanders.

    ”Some of the successes recorded in recovery of big towns in the Northeast were due to deployment of new strategies, improved disciplinary measures, and sincerity of participating countries in the regional alliance and the acquisitions of latest equipment.

    ”In the past, colonels have led direct attacks in accordance with military tradition, but because of the large scale desertions recorded, Generals then decided to directly lead the war and this has greatly boosted morale.

    ”Many of the troops that earlier deserted have returned while others have expressed desire to return to the front.”

  • Shekau claims Baga massacre in video

    Shekau claims Baga massacre in video

    Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau has claimed responsibility for the mass killings in Baga and threatened more violence.

    As many as 2,000 civilians were allegedly killed and 3,700 homes and businesses destroyed in the January 3 attack on the town near Nigeria’s border with Cameroon, said Amnesty International.

    But the Military said 150 people were killed.

    Shekau took the responsibility for the killings in a video posted on YouTube yesterday, the same day International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said she was examining the allegations of mass killings and will prosecute those most responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Nigeria.

    “We are the ones who fought the people of Baga, and we have killed them with such a killing as He (Allah) commanded us in his book,” Shekau says, according to a translation from Arabic provided by SITE Intelligence Group.

    The video shows weapons supposedly captured from a key military base at Baga.

    “This is just the beginning of the killings. What you’ve just witnessed is a tip of the iceberg. More deaths are coming,” said Shekau in the Hausa.

    “This will mark the end of politics and democracy in Nigeria,” he warned. The country has slated general elections for February 14 and 28.

    The attack on Baga has sparked international outrage not seen since Boko Haram kidnapped nearly 300 girls from Chibok Girls Secondary school in Borno State in April last year.

    In Niger Republic, regional foreign ministers yesterday were negotiating how to establish a multinational force to fight the extremists.

    Shekau taunts them in the video, saying “I’m ready” for any attacks.

    Baga was headquarters for a multinational force but Chad and Niger abruptly withdrew their troops without explanation and only Nigerians were there when Boko Haram struck, according to Nigeria’s military chief Air Chief Marshal Alex Barde.

    Yesterday, the African Union said defeatin, “dastardly” Boko Haram insurgents requires support from across the continent.  African Union chief Mrs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma urged increased backing for Nigeria and affected neighbouring countries.

    “Boko Haram is a threat not only to Nigeria and the region, but also to the continent as a whole,she said in a statement.

    “The situation calls for renewed collective African efforts,” she added, issuing a “strong condemnation of the cowardly and dastardly attacks carried out by Boko Haram”.

    The comments followed a regional summit that opened in Niger on Tuesday to stop the militants, whose insurgency has left 13 000 dead and forced 1.5 million from their homes since 2009.

    Regional leaders will meet again on the sidelines of the AU summit at the end of month “to urge for enhanced international support”, Mrs Dlamini-Zuma added.

    Chad sent a convoy of troops and 400 military vehicles on Saturday into neighbouring Cameroon to fight Boko Haram.

    Mrs Dlamini-Zuma said she welcomed Chad’s intervention and praised its “commitment to the promotion of peace, security and stability in the region”.

  • Shekau threatens to attack Kano Emir

    Shekau threatens to attack Kano Emir

    Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau has threatened to attack the Emir of Kano,  Muhummadu Sanusi II, in retaliation for the Emir’s call on Kano residents and other Nigerians to defend themselves against the terror organisation.

    In a video released last weekend, Shekau said his group does not consider the emir a true Muslim.

    The Emir had earlier issued a call to arms after a series of deadly attacks by suspected Boko Haram militants in Kano.

    Boko Haram launched a deadly assault on the Kano Mosque near the Emir’s palace on November 28, detonating multiple bombs and shooting worshippers.

    Over 100 people died in the attack.

    The Emir, who was abroad during the attack, returned to lead prayers at the site of the blast, the following day.

    In a 19-minute new video first released Saturday, Shekau did not claim responsibility for the mosque attack. But he said his group remains prepared to kill anyone who challenges its ideology, and all non-Muslims and “fake” Muslims.

    In a report published by online medium Premium Times, Shakau was quoted to have said: “Before I start talking to my brothers who believed in me and the religion of Allah, not the religion of democracy, not that of western education, those who believed in the religion of the Quran, not that of the constitution and not religion of the Emir of Kano Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Jonathan, Obasanjo, Atiku, Babangida, Obama, Bush, Clinton, but the religion of Allah,” he said.

    Mr. Shekau said his group will fight local vigilantes and hunters, who have successfully crushed the advances of its fighters in some parts of the Northeast.

    Shekau condemned all other Islamic sects in the country calling them pagans.

    He said the Izala, Tijjaniyya, Qadiriyya and Shiite Islamic groups are pagans and his group will continue to kill their followers.

    He also condemned the government Saudi Arabia.

    “We will kill you people, we will capture hostages and keep selling some,” he said.

  • Boko Haram leader, Shekau denies peace talks with FG

    Boko Haram leader, Shekau denies peace talks with FG

    Leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, has denied any involvement in peace talks with the Federal Government.

    His denial was contained in a video released by the sect yesterday. The video claimed that the 219 secondary school girls abducted from Chibok, Borno State, by the sect in April had “long been married out.”

    He also denied knowledge of Danladi Adamu, who is parading himself as the Secretary General of the sect and holding talks with the Federal Government in Chad.

    “We don’t know that impostor called Danladi Adamu. We have never asked him or his type to speak for us because in this war, ther is no going back,” Shekau said.

    On the Chibok girls, he said: “The issue of the Chibok girls is long forgotten because I have married them out long ago.”

    The video, which was done in Hausa,has vindicated many Nigerians who have expressed doubt over the authenticity of the FG/Boko Haram truce.

    The Defence Headquarters had about two weeks ago claimed that it had struck a ceasefire agreement with the sect after a meeting in Saudi Arabia.

    It also claimed that negotiations with the sect would continue in Chad Republic early this week.

    Not a few people, however, doubted the claim, particularly because the sect struck in some Borno and Adamawa vilages, killing scores of people.

    The military authorities could not be reached for comments at press time late last night.

  • Boko Haram no longer faceless, says group

    The President, Jonathan Trust Foundation (JTF), Mr. Abiodun Dada, at the weekend said that the Federal Government’s ceasefire agreement with the Boko Haram sect has become necessary because the sect is no longer a faceless organisation.

    Speaking with our correspondent, he explained that what the country has always sought is for members of the group to come up for negotiation with the government.

    He said, “The ceasefire is the best thing that has come out of this fight against the insurgents so far. Apart from killing Shekau, having a ceasefire agreement is a step in the right direction. Now, it (Boko Haram) is no longer a faceless organisation. At least, some people are coming forward to say they represent the group. They are willing to talk with the government, which is what we have always been trying to do over the years: to get them to talk. To get them come from their hideout and seat down and discuss with the Federal Government.”

     

  • Shekau: I’m not dead

    Shekau: I’m not dead

    Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau has shown up again in a video, boasting and yelling as usual.

    He said he was not killed, contrary to what the military said.

    But the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday said it was all lies and propaganda.

    It insisted that the impostor claiming to be Shekau had been killed in the battle of Konduga in Borno State.

    The DHQ,  in a statement issued in Abuja, said it was still studying the video.

    It said: “The Defence Headquarters is studying the claims made in the video purportedly released by the terrorists showing their leader Abubakar Shekau as dismissing his death.

    “From immediate observation and what some online news outlets claimed to have seen, the video did not indicate when it was shot, neither did it show any proof of life or currency such as screen time or date.

    “The video also did not make any reference to anything that has happened since the impostor’s reported death.

    “It is also noteworthy that the air plane said to be mentioned in the video had been missing before he was killed.

    “It should not surprise anybody if the terrorists decide to manipulate pictures, clone another Shekau or upload a pre-recorded video, all in a bid to prove invincible.

    “As far as we are concerned, the individual who was appearing in video and claiming to be the leader of the terrorist group was killed in the Kondunga battle in September.

    “The resemblance of the corpse and that of the eccentric character was incontrovertible. His identity was equally corroborated by people who knew him before we announced his death.”

    While still conducting thorough investigation into the new claims in the purprted video, the military promised that justice will be served to whoever bears that name or designation and whoever engages in act.”

    In the 36-minute video, a man claiming to be Shekau appeared, contradicting the military’s reports that he was killed.

    Screen grabs of the video, seen by Reuters, show a figure in boots and combat fatigues who looks similar to the man claiming to be Shekau in previous videos.

    “Here I am, alive. I will only die the day Allah takes my breath,” he says in Hausa language, reported the French News Agency (AFP), which normally receives Boko Haram tapes first, before they are distributed online.

    The military said last week that the man who had been posing as Shekau in the group’s growing number of videos had been killed in clashes over the town of Konduga.

    The military announced the death of Shekau himself a year ago, saying he had died in battle.

    After that, the man appearing in videos as Shekau did look different from before, with a wider nose, less defined bridge and a rounder face.

    In the most recent video, Shekau says “nothing will kill me until my days are over … Some people asked you if Shekau has two souls. No, I have one soul, by Allah,” AFP said.

    Boko Haram, whose violent five-year campaign for an Islamic state has killed thousands, has in the past two months progressed from bombings, raids and kidnappings to trying to seize territory.

    In the video, the Shekau figure declared the remote areas they control near Cameroon as “Muslim territory”, echoing the declaration of a caliphate by militants in Iraq and Syria.

    Bellicose as ever, Shekau stands on the back of a pick-up truck, firing an anti-aircraft gun into the air. The video also shows people being stoned to death and being given lashes, both traditional Islamic punishments.

    The video also shows Boko Haram fighters picking through the wreckage of an aircraft they claim to have shot down. The DHQ is still looking for a an Air Force jet that went missing more than two weeks ago.

    “Standing in front of three camouflaged vans and flanked by four heavily armed, masked fighters, he then speaks for 16 minutes in Arabic and the Hausa language widely spoken in Northern Nigeria.

    “There was no indication of where or when the video was shot. Shekau appears in separate images from the violence.

    “The heavily bearded Shekau, who appeared to be the same man as those in previous clips, said the military’s claim that he was dead was propaganda.

    AFP said: “Boko Haram has shown images of extreme violence before but the latest video shows at length graphic scenes of an amputation and a stoning to death as well as a beheading.

    “It also purports to show the wreckage of a Nigerian Air Force jet that went missing in the northeast on September 11. Boko Haram said its fighters shot it down but the military denied the claim.

    “Elsewhere in the new video, the militant leader said the group had implemented strict Islamic law in the towns that it had captured in the northeast in recent weeks.

    “We are running our caliphate, our Islamic caliphate. We follow the Koran… We now practise the injunctions of the Koran in the land of Allah,” he said.

    “The video showed footage of a man being stoned to death for adultery, another having his right hand cut off at the wrist for theft and a man and a woman receiving 100 lashes for sex out of wedlock.

    “Crowds of men, women and children are seen watching the punishments.

    There was again no indication of when or where the images were shot but on August 21, residents who fled the Borno town of Buni Yadi reported that the group had carried out summary executions.

    “The scenes of graphic violence are not unprecedented but come as other groups in the wider jihadi network, particularly Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq, have issued similar footage.

    “In a Boko Haram video obtained on August 24, footage showed the apparent execution of about 20 men captured in the Borno town of Gwoza and two others beaten to death with rocks and pick-axes.

    “On the Air Force jet, Boko Haram fighters are seen apparently picking through the wreckage of the downed Alpha aircraft and the military’s green and white logo is clearly visible.

    But Air Force spokesman,  air Commodore Dele Alonge told AFP: “Our plane went missing some weeks back and we are still looking for it.

    “For any group to claim they shot it down is mere propaganda and rubbish.”

    It was gathered yesterday that President Goodluck Jonathan convened a meeting of the Security Council.

    It was learnt that the session was to “re-appraise the security situation in the country, including the North-East, Nasarawa, Plateau and Ekiti states”.

    An hour before the meeting started, Shekau’s video was released.

    A top source said: “With the release of the video by Boko Haram, there was no way the council will not discuss the latest development.

    “All I know is that immediately the video was released, intelligence and military experts started analysing it vis-a-vis the information at the disposal of the military about two weeks ago when Shekau was declared killed in encounters with troops.

    “We are studying the clip, we will not rush into judgment. At the appropriate time, the military will react to Shekau’s latest claim through our usual channels.”

  • Defence HQ faults new ‘Shekau’ video

    Defence HQ faults new ‘Shekau’ video

    The Defence headquarters has faulted the new video released by the Boko Haram insurgents showing the leader of the group Shekau earlier said to  have been killed recently.

    Full text of the statement on the Defence Headquarters blog defenceinfo.mi.ng read thus:

    ” The Defence Headquarters is studying the claims made in the video purportedly released by the terrorists showing their leader Abubakar Shekau as dismissing his death.

    ” From immediate observation and what some online news outlets claimed to have seen, the video did not indicate when it was shot neither did it show any proof of life or currency such as screen time or date.  The video also did not make any reference to anything that has happened since the impostor’s reported death.

    ” It is also noteworthy that the air plane said to be mentioned in the video had been missing before he was killed. It should not surprise anybody if the terrorists decide to manipulate pictures, clone another Shekau or upload a pre-recorded video all in a bid to prove invincible.

    ” As far as we are concerned, the individual who was appearing in video and claiming to be the leader of the terrorist group was killed in the Kondunga battle in September.  The resemblance of the corpse and that of the eccentric character was incontrovertible. His identity was equally corroborated by people who knew him before we announced his death.

    ” So, while waiting to see the new video before any further statement,  our message to them is that justice will be served to whoever bears that name or designation and whoever engages in act.”

  • Beyond Shekau

    Notwithstanding the claims and counter-claims about his death, the most important thing is restoring peace

    In a reflection of the haziness that has reigned since his death was first announced in August last year,  the recent news of the killing of a terrorist by that name heightened the confusion. Although the inevitable question whether Abubakar Shekau, the fiery face of the Islamist and terroristic guerilla force Boko Haram, is actually dead was answered in the affirmative by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) spokesman, Major-Gen Chris Olukolade, his official response did not fully settle the issue.

    According to his statement, “The troops captured some of the terrorists and their equipment. In the course of those encounters, one Mohammed Bashir, who has been acting or posing on videos as the deceased Abubakar Shekau, the eccentric character known as leader of the group, died.”

    Interestingly, it would seem that things may not be so clear.  It is curious that a similar claim by the Cameroonian Army, supported by images, gave the credit to that country’s soldiers who reportedly carried out a cross-border raid inside Nigeria where they killed Shekau in an aerial bombardment of his hideout.  

    Either way, ignoring the circumstances, the death of the Boko Haram commander-in chief should reassure the troubled public that the country’s military may be winning the terror war after all, despite mounting criticisms of its alleged operational minuses. However, the matter may not be that simple.

    It is noteworthy that Olukolade said “the name Shekau has become a brand name for the terrorists’ leader”, adding, “On restoring normalcy after the encounter, inhabitants of the community who were victims of terrorists’ activities corroborated the information on the identity of Bashir Mohammed, alias Abubakar Shekau, alias Abacha Abdulahi, alias Damasack, etc.”

    The logical implication of the alleged use of the name for branding purposes is that another so-called “fake Shekau” may emerge from the ashes of the previous ones, with the scary suggestion of continuity. Of course, it would be unreasonably optimistic and a grave error for the military to interpret the claimed death of this particular Shekau as a definitive victory over Boko Haram. The anti-terror campaign just cannot afford complacency, even if it is true that the terrorists have lost their chief.

    It is hoped that what should be a setback for the insurgents would be exploited maximally by the military, which means that the force must seriously address every possible hindrance, especially issues related to the effective equipping of the fighters and their welfare. In this connection, the point should be emphasised that the intervention of Cameroonian troops, to the extent that their involvement possibly affected the believability of  the reported killing of  the Shekau in question, leaves a great deal to be desired. 

    The country must emphatically reclaim its capacity to defend its territory, and this certainly cannot be achieved through spin doctors who continue to paint a bright picture of a systematic weakening of the enemies without convincing evidence. It is worth mentioning that news of the killing of the rebel leader was accompanied by a claim that 135 Boko Haram terrorists were either captured or surrendered in Yobe and Adamawa states. Figures of captives or those who have surrendered will have to translate into a clear progressive crushing of the terrorists for any meaningful result.

    As things stand, with Boko Haram yet to respond formally to the development, it remains to be seen what turn the terrorism will take and the consequences. The military must be prepared. Without doubt, the battle is beyond the Shekau brand, and not to recognise this reality would amount to a trivialisation of the confrontation with evil. Indeed, whether Shekau is dead or alive is not as important as restoring peace.  

  • DHQ probes report on Shekau’s condition

    DHQ probes report on Shekau’s condition

    The Defence Headquarters yesterday launched a probe into the alleged “killing ” of the Spiritual Leader of Boko Haram, Imam Abubakar Shekau in the encounters in Konduga with insurgents.

    Intelligence sources have been analyzing the features of a top commander of the sect who was mauled down  in the encounters on September 17.

    The fallen commander was said to have “the same character as someonewho has been posing as Shekau.”

    A few months ago, the Directorate of State Security had declared Shekau dead in a battle. It declared the person who appeared in a video as an impostor.

    The DHQ pledged to address the nation after ascertaining the truth or otherwise of the claim by troops.

    According to senior military and intelligence sources, “a commander sharing the features of Shekau was hit and fallen.”

    One of the sources said: “The DHQ has received reports of alleged fallen of Boko Haram leader, Imam Shekau by troops.

    The  Defence Headquarters will soon address the nation after full investigation of their latest discovery.

    The source gave background to the ongoing probe by the DHQ.

    He said:  “Nigerian troops might have scored a strategic victory in the current battle against terrorists operating in the Northeast on September 17.

    “During a desperate attempt to capture Konduga in their delusion to eventually marching on and capturing Maiduguri, the man who had been mimicking Late Abubakar Shekau in recent videos might have been killed.

    “It is getting more certain that the terrorists’ commander who has been mimicking Shekau in those videos was  the one killed in Konduga on September 17, 2014.”

    “The suspected demise of the Boko Haram leader is responsible for the scattering of the sect members in different independent locations in the neighbouring countries, especially in Cameroon noticed in recent days.

    Another military source said: “The process of confirming that the body we have is the same as that character who has been posing as Shekau is ongoing.

    “He is definitely a prominent terrorist commander. I don’t want to say anything about this yet please.”

    A third  high-ranking military source insisted that the “resemblance is too striking to be a coincidence.

    “The troops cited his facial marks, beards and teeth apart from the recovery by the Nigerian troops of some of the Armoured Vehicles and Hilux jeeps that had featured in previous videos of the prime suspect.”