Finally, Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram, is confirmed dead by the other jihadist group of the Islamic State's West Africa Province (Iswap) in an audio recording. According to the group's information, he committed suicide during fighting between the two.

Information announcing the death of Abubakar Shekau had been released before. But after two weeks, the Iswap leader confirmed his death through an audio recording. According to the information from this jihadist group, Abubakar Shekau was already dead on 18 May during the war between the two groups.

The Boko Haram leader committed suicide, according to Iswap reports. He detonated his explosive belt when he was pursued by rival fighters in battle. He preferred to commit suicide than to throw himself into the arms of his enemies.

"Shekau preferred humiliation in the afterlife to humiliation on earth. He took his own life by setting off an explosive," says a voice in Kanuri that sounds like Iswap leader Abu Musab Al-Barnawi in this recording given to AFP by a source who usually relays the group's messages.

However, no Boko Haram member has announced the death of their leaders.

The misfortune of others is the happiness of others

The person explained in the recording how they defeated Shekau. First, the Iswap fighters were sent to the Boko Haram enclave in the Sambisa forest. Then, they discovered Shekau at his home and started the war. The Boko Haram leader withdrew and fled into the bush for five days.

Without letting up, Iswap troops continued to search for him until they found him in his hideout. He was evicted from the forest, Iswap fighters called him and his supporters, but Shekau refused and later killed himself.

"We are so happy," the voice said, adding that Shekau is "someone who has been guilty of unimaginable terrorism and atrocities.”

Since the Islamist group Boko Haram began its rebellion in 2009 in north-eastern Nigeria, clashes have left nearly 36,000 people dead and two million displaced.

 Iswap is now the dominant jihadist group in northeast Nigeria. Iswap is an organization founded in 2016 and recognized by the Islamic State after its separation from Boko Haram in 2016.

Santie

Photo Credit: Arise News

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