The leader of Nigerian terrorist group, Boko Haram, has been killed in attacks by both Nigeria and Cameroon, but efforts are still underway to verify his identity.
Abubakar Shekau, who emerged as leader of the extremist sect, has been killed, and his body was identified on Monday by Nigerian military officials.
However, it is uncertain whether the dead Shekau was Isa Damsaka or Bashir Mohammed, who are both top Boko Haram commanders believed to be posing as Shekau.
Military experts are yet to give a defining conclusion on the identity of the dead Boko Haram leader.
The Nigerian military, however, confirmed that "the dead body we have is the same as that character who has been posing as Shekau".
The military cited his facial marks, beard and teeth in addition to the recovery by Nigerian troops of some of the armoured vehicles and Hilux SUVs that had featured in previous videos of the prime suspect.
Nigeria's Defense headquarters will address the nation after full investigations of their latest discovery.
Nigeria and Cameroon conducted independent raids on Sunday against Boko Haram hideouts in northeast Nigeria which may have killed Shekau.
Photos of a dead Shekau were made public by the Cameroonian army, alongside a statement claiming he was killed during a cross-border raid inside Nigeria by its military.
The Nigerian army also conducted raids on Sunday in Konduga, a town near Maiduguri, the Borno State capital where Shekau may have been killed.
The Cameroon armed forces since Sunday have been in serious combat against thousands of Boko Haram fighters trying to enter the country through Fotokol from Gamboru Ngala in Nigeria.
Nigerian forces have also been conducting operations in the environs of Konduga and all associated border locations within the country.
The credit for Shekau's death remains in dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon who both conducted raids on the day of his death.
Nigerian military, last year was convinced it had killed Shekau.
Some analysts say the real Shekau was killed in June 2013 by the Nigerian security agencies, and whoever has been posing as Shekau has now been killed.
The sponsors or patronage of Boko Haram may try to find another look-alike to perpetuate the myth of Shekau and continue the carnage.
0 comments:
Post a Comment