Boko Haram leader, Shekau Dead?

Once again, there were speculations yesterday that the ruthless kingpin of the Boko Haram terror gang, Abubakar Shekau, might be one of the casualties in the military raid of Konduga, Borno State, which also resulted in the killing of about 60 insurgents.

Late last year, the military authorities had said that Shekau was killed in an operation in June, after he was believed to have been fatally wounded.

He later resurfaced in a video footage, which his gang posted on the internet.

But yesterday, unconfirmed reports had it that security agencies are currently reviewing information that Shekau may have been killed in the battle with the military near Konduga.

In the Konduga battle, no fewer than 60 Boko Haram militants, according to the military, were killed while one its leaders was reportedly captured alive. The captive, whose name was not made public, is however reported to be receiving treatment in an undisclosed military facility.

Meanwhile, there were agency reports yesterday that dozens of people had been killed by Boko Haram militants at a local market in Mainok area of Borno State.


The attackers reportedly raided the market – about 56 km from Maiduguri – while buying and selling were at the peak, according to an eyewitness, Alhaji Bello Adamu. He said at least 21 people were killed in the attack which lasted about one hour.

The attackers also reportedly carted away money and wares as they ransacked stores in the local market.

Military authorities were yet to react to the story as at the time of filing this report, but a source claimed that a detachment of troops had been deployed to the area.

[Newswatch]