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General News of Thursday, 20 May 2021

Source: www.mynigeria.com

'May Shekau’s soul rot in the deepest part of hell ' - Reactions as Boko Haram leader is 'killed' by ISWAP

Abubakar Shekau has been 'killed' four times Abubakar Shekau has been 'killed' four times

 • Boko Haram is reported to have died after an attack from a column of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters

 • ISWAP broke away from the Shekau-led Boko Haram faction in 2016 after pledging allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS)

 • Shekau has been the leader of Boko Haram since 2009 following the death of the group’s founder, Mohammed Yusuf

Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the insurgency group, Boko Haram is toping the Twitter trends in Nigeria.

This follows unconfirmed reports that he was killed on Wednesday evening following an invasion of his stronghold in the Sambisa Forest.

While the reports of his death have been speculative, news platform, HumAngle said Shekau was killed in the invasion. The platform said the news was confirmed by multiple sources close to the issue.

It wrote on its website that the invasion was carried out by a column of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters.

According to HumAngle, "Shekau’s enclave was tracked down by ISWAP using its forces based in the Timbuktu Triangle. His fighters were killed in the process, followed by a long gunfire exchange between the invading group and Shekau’s bodyguards."

ISWAP broke away from the Shekau-led Boko Haram faction in 2016 after pledging allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS).

HumAngle further claimed that the leader of Boko Haram surrendered and engaged in an hours-long meeting with the ISWAP fighters. It was reported Shekau was meant to issue a statement to the effect of his capture after directing his supporters and other fighters to declare bai’a (allegiance) to ISWAP’s authority.

Sources within the insurgency, however, said that Shekau who secretly had a suicide vest on eventually blew himself up alongside everyone present during the negotiations, HumAngle reports.

Shekau has been rumored to be killed four times between July 2009 and August 2015.

Nigerians are reacting, below are some tweets:

@Omojuwa wrote: If you are faced with two dangerous snakes and one of the snakes kills the other, your battle isn’t over but I don’t see how you shouldn’t be pleased one of them is dead. Especially if the dead one had terrorized you and your people for longer. Shekau is dead. Good news. Period.

@DejiAdesogan said: The End of Era. He who lives by the sword dies by the sword. May His wicked soul rot in the deepest part of hell. Meanwhile the fierce battle has just begun... #SheKau

@De_communicator wrote: - They said ISWAP killed shekau, God will punish them
- If shekau is dead, God will punish him
- If Shekau rises again, God will punish him and the lairs

| Seun Malami North #cryptocrash Spare Buju Attorney General |

@Gimbakakanda said: Shekau has died several times and so it’s hard to believe this latest report of his death without credible proof.

@DOlusegun wrote: If shekau was truly killed, it is great news but you know what would be more satisfying though, him being captured and dragged through every village, city and town him and his terrorist underlings have destroyed in the course of this insurgency then shot on live TV

@Uncle_Ajala said: They said ISWAP fighters stormed Sambisa forest, attacked Boko Haram and Abubakar Shekau whereabout still unknown.
Some are saying Shekau is dead, but until we see his dead body, I think nobody should rejoice over this, because Shekau don die like 9 times in the news before now.

@mobilisingniger wrote: ISWAP wouldn't have taken over if the Nigeria Army didn't dislodged BH second in command to Shekau few days ago in Konduga and also air bombardment by the Airforce. So I say it's a victory to the military

@Naeeemah_ wrote: Shekau lost one of his life again

@Adda_Fadi2 wrote: In the course of celebrating Shekau’s death let’s not forget to ask this question is ISWAP any better? May Shekau’s soul rot in the deepest part of hell