SAN FRANCISCO, August 19, (THEWILL) – The Joint Task Force (JTF) operating in Borno State, Monday said Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, may have died as a result of wounds sustained during an assault against the group a few weeks ago.
In a press statement today, spokesman of the JTF, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa said, “Intelligence report available to the Joint Task Force Operation Restore Order revealed that Abubakar Shekau, the most dreaded and wanted Boko Haram terrorists leader may have died.
“He died of gunshot wounds received in an encounter with the JTF troops in one of their camps at Sambisa Forest on 30 June 2013. Shekau was mortally wounded in the encounter and was sneaked into Amitchide – a border community in Cameroun for treatment which he never recovered from.
“It is greatly believed that Shekau might have died between 25 July to 3 August, 2013.”
Among other crimes of Shekau was the masterminding of the kidnap of the seven French citizens and that of the elder statesman Alhaji (Dr) Shettima Ali Monguno, according to Musa.
The JTF also said, Shekau was responsible for numerous killings of Islamic clerics in Northern Nigeria.
“He was also responsible for bombings of many places of worship and public buildings including Police and United Nations Headquarters in Abuja.”
The JTF spokesman added that perhaps the most wanted Nigerian ever, Shekau, was dead before the video where he charged his followers to continue the war on Nigeria released during the Eid- El- Fitr celebration.
“The recent video released on 13 August, 2013 by the purported sect leader was dramatized by an imposter to hoodwink the sect members to continue with the terrorism and to deceive the undiscerning minds,” Sagir added, while calling on members of the Boko Haram to lay down their arms and embrace the Federal Government’s offer for dialogue.
The JTF however did not provide a photo or confirm that it has the body of Shekau.
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