Boko Haram may have replaced its much-known leader Abubakar Shekau with another commander, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed.
Buhari said this during an interview with British publication The Telegraph, saying that he had received conflicting information on the Islamist militant group leader’s whereabouts, adding that he may have been replaced by a less charismatic leader.
Buhari’s remarks come at a time when there is much talk of Shekau having been wounded or even killed in one of the Nigerian military’s many raids of Boo Haram’s territories.
According to Nigerian website Naij, Shekau’s voice was last heard in an audio message dated March 7, 2015, pledging allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS).
He has since then faded from the limelight, and has also failed to appear in the latest video released by the militant group, prompting many to believe that he may be dead.
Meanwhile, President Buhari also expressed concern over the looming threat of Islamic militants taking over parts of the continent.
- He said he had since reached out to Western countries for military assistance, but refused to reveal any further details.
