JUST IN: Rival Group Kills Boko Haram Leader, Shekau, Takes Over Sambisa Forest

Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram, also known as Jama’at Ahl as-Sunnah Lid Da’wah Wa’l-Jihad (JAS), was killed by an armed group accused of being part of the Islamic State of West Africa Province, ISWAP.

According to unconfirmed accounts, Shekau was killed in a fierce battle in their Sambisa Forest hideouts on Wednesday, May 19, 2021.

Sambisa forest borders parts of Borno’s Konduga, Bama, Gwoza Askira Uba, Hawul, Kaga, and Biu Local Government Areas, as well as Yobe’s Gujiba, Buni Yadi, and Goniri, and Adamawa’s Madagali.

According to other sources, hundreds of ISWAP fighters invaded Sambisa with heavy gun trucks last week in search of Shekau, the Boko Haram factional leader.

Shekau was also revealed to have blown himself up and committed suicide when ISWAP attempted to catch him (Shekau) alive during a gun duel, rather than being killed directly by the splinter rival party.

Despite the lack of an official announcement or confirmation from Nigerian security forces that Shekau, the most wanted terrorist leader, had been killed, several people took to social media to celebrate his death on Thursday morning.

According to a security report obtained said, “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.”