There have been all sorts of rumours going around. That some Boko Haram militants surrendered willingly. That Shekau might be dead. I was starting to hope. To pray. That perhaps the scourge was over.
So you can imagine my dismay when Chad’s President Idriss Deby says the horrific scourge of Nigeria – Islamist militant group Boko Haram has a new leader.
He did not say what had happened to Abubakar Shekau, but said he had been replaced by Mahamat Daoud – who has not previously been heard of before. Mr Shekau has not featured in the group’s recent videos, leading to speculation that he has been killed.
Mr Deby, whose troops have been involved in battling Boko Haram, said Mr Daoud was open to dialogue. I can only they dialogue all the way to peace in the North. My country is being decimated and ruined by the violence and terrorism.
Mr Shekau took over as the group’s leader after the its founder, Muhammad Yusuf, died in Nigerian police custody in July 2009. Under his leadership the group has become more radical and carried out more killings. Previous reports about his death proved to be untrue.
