Abubakar Shekau

Abubakar Shekau
Shekau announcing Boko Haram's abduction of 276 Nigerian schoolgirls, video from May 2014.
Born1974[1]
Shekau, Tarmuwa, Yobe State, Nigeria
Died19 May 2021 (aged 46-47)
Sambisa Forest, Borno State, Nigeria
AllegianceBoko Haram (2002–2021)
 Islamic State (fully 2015–2016; loosely from 2016)
Years of service2002–2021
RankLeader (2009–2021)
Battles / warsBoko Haram insurgency

Abu Mohammed Abubakar al-Sheikawi (also known by the alias Darul Akeem wa Zamunda Tawheed, or Darul Tawheed; "the abode of monotheism"; 1974[1] – 19 May 2021) was a Nigerian militant who was the leader of Boko Haram, an Islamist extremist organization based in northeastern Nigeria, from 2009 to 2021.[2][3] He served as deputy leader to the group's founder, Mohammed Yusuf, until Yusuf's execution in 2009.

Nigerian authorities believed that Shekau was killed in 2009 during clashes between security forces and Boko Haram until July 2010, when Shekau appeared in a video claiming leadership of the group.[3] He had subsequently been regularly reported dead and was thought to use doubles.[4][5][6]

Shekau has been criticized by human rights advocates for terrorism, bombings, forced conversions and kidnapping.

In March 2015 Shekau pledged allegiance to ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. However, in 2016, ISIS Central tried to replace Shekau with Abu Musab al-Barnawi as leader of the group, causing a split. Shekau's loyalists were called Boko Haram and al-Barnawi's loyalists were known as Islamic State's West Africa Province. Shekau was a Salafi, until 2016, when he ended his relation to ISIL.[7] Relations between Shekau and ISIS declined, and in 2021 ISIS launched a major operation against Shekau and his supporters.

Shekau killed himself on 19 May 2021 by detonating a suicide vest during the battle of Sambisa Forest between Boko Haram and Islamic State's West Africa Province.[8] His death was first reported by The Wall Street Journal and was confirmed by Nigerian officials, ISWAP, and his surviving loyalists.[9][10]

  1. ^ a b "Rewards for Justice – Wanted". www.rewardsforjustice.net. Archived from the original on 7 July 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  2. ^ Brock, Joe (12 January 2012). "Nigeria sect leader defends killings in video". Reuters Africa. Thomson Reuters. Archived from the original on 15 January 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  3. ^ a b Jacinto, Leela (13 January 2012). "The Boko Haram terror chief who came back from the dead". France 24. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  4. ^ "Boko Haram militant leader is dead, Nigerian military says". France 24. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  5. ^ "Nigeria army claims death of Boko Haram leader". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  6. ^ Akinyelure, Didi (27 September 2016). "Dead or alive? The six lives of Boko Haram's leader". BBC News. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  7. ^ Collective Mobilisations in Africa / Mobilisations collectives en Afrique: Enough is Enough! / Ça suffit!. BRILL. 1 June 2015. p. 338. ISBN 9789004300002.
  8. ^ Hinshaw, Drew; Parkinson, Joe (21 May 2021). "Boko Haram Leader, Responsible for Chibok Schoolgirl Kidnappings, Dies". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Abubakar Shekau's Boko Haram Faction Confirms Death Of Leader, Issues Fresh Threats". Sahara Reporters. 15 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  10. ^ Ahmad Salkida (5 June 2021). "ISWAP Confirms Shekau's Death, Says Its Fighters Were Following ISIS Orders". Humangle. Retrieved 5 June 2021.