For years, many have wondered about the whereabouts of Abubakar Shekau, leader of terror group, Boko Haram, amid claims and counter-claims between the Nigerian military and the Islamist militants that he was “killed”. However, latest audio which appears to have originated from Shekau may put the debate to bed.
In the audio said to have been authenticated by a voice expert from AFP, Shekau insisted that he is “still around.” The pronouncement comes a day after the terrorist Islamic State (ISIS) said in a statement posted on its website, it has changed the leadership of Boko Haram with the appointment of Abu Musab al-Barnawi to replace Shekau.
It will be recalled that Boko Haram had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in March 2015.
In the audio message, Shekau said “People should know we are still around. We will never cease any discord among the people; we will live by the Koran.
“This is our stand and we remain in our capacity as Jama’atu Ahlissunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad,” he said.
In reference to the announced removal as head of the sect, Shekau said he was decided by the Islamic state,
“I find myself being forced to follow another character who practices disbelief.”
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