The Defence
Headquarters confirmed that self-acclaimed leader of the Boko Haram sect,
Mohammed Bashir, alias “Abubakar Shekau’’ had died in an encounter with troops
at Konduga in Borno.
Headquarters confirmed that self-acclaimed leader of the Boko Haram sect,
Mohammed Bashir, alias “Abubakar Shekau’’ had died in an encounter with troops
at Konduga in Borno.
The Director of
Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, confirmed the death of Shekau
at news conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, confirmed the death of Shekau
at news conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
“In course of
encounters, one Mohammed Bashir, who has been acting or posing as the deceased
Abubakar Shekau, the eccentric character known as the leader of the group died.
encounters, one Mohammed Bashir, who has been acting or posing as the deceased
Abubakar Shekau, the eccentric character known as the leader of the group died.
“Since the name
Shekau has become a brand name for the terrorists’ leader, the Nigerian
military remains resolute to serve justice to anyone who assumes that
designation or title,’’ Olukolade said.
Shekau has become a brand name for the terrorists’ leader, the Nigerian
military remains resolute to serve justice to anyone who assumes that
designation or title,’’ Olukolade said.
He said that the
same fate await all terrorists who sought “to violate the freedom and territory
of Nigeria’’.
The defence
spokesman said that the deceased Shekau was also known as “Abacha Abdullahi
Geidam’’ and “Damasack’’.
spokesman said that the deceased Shekau was also known as “Abacha Abdullahi
Geidam’’ and “Damasack’’.
According to him,
the recent devastation on the leadership of the insurgents is attributable to
the renewed commitment to the mission of eradicating terrorism in our country.
the recent devastation on the leadership of the insurgents is attributable to
the renewed commitment to the mission of eradicating terrorism in our country.
He said that
another 133 terrorists surrendered to troops on Tuesday, bringing the total
number to 148
another 133 terrorists surrendered to troops on Tuesday, bringing the total
number to 148
The News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) recalled that five insurgents had surrendered to troop in Konduga
while 10 surrendered in Kawuri both in Borno recently.
Nigeria (NAN) recalled that five insurgents had surrendered to troop in Konduga
while 10 surrendered in Kawuri both in Borno recently.
Olukolade said of
the 133 that surrendered on Tuesday, 88 gave up their arms at Mairiga and
Buniyadi in Borno, while 45 surrendered at Mubi and Michika in Adamawa.
the 133 that surrendered on Tuesday, 88 gave up their arms at Mairiga and
Buniyadi in Borno, while 45 surrendered at Mubi and Michika in Adamawa.
He commended the
gallantry of the troops, assuring that the military would remain undaunted in
prosecuting the campaign against terror in the country.
gallantry of the troops, assuring that the military would remain undaunted in
prosecuting the campaign against terror in the country.
Olukolade said
that between Sept. 12 and Sept. 17, the insurgents made four attempts to attack
Konduga but were repelled by air and land forces deployed to handle the
situation.
that between Sept. 12 and Sept. 17, the insurgents made four attempts to attack
Konduga but were repelled by air and land forces deployed to handle the
situation.
“The keen interest
exhibited by our neighbours and allies is commendable and we appreciate them.
exhibited by our neighbours and allies is commendable and we appreciate them.
“All allies in the
war against terrorism are hereby assured of the Nigerian military’s resolve to
maintain the momentum in the efforts to decimate and defeat terrorists.
war against terrorism are hereby assured of the Nigerian military’s resolve to
maintain the momentum in the efforts to decimate and defeat terrorists.
“It is
nevertheless necessary to alert all citizens that there is still the need for
even more vigilance and cooperation with the security forces.
nevertheless necessary to alert all citizens that there is still the need for
even more vigilance and cooperation with the security forces.
“Everybody is
required to remain alert to ensure that we are not taken unaware by terrorist
elements, who might want to carry out isolated attacks in any part of our
country,’’ he said. (NAN)
required to remain alert to ensure that we are not taken unaware by terrorist
elements, who might want to carry out isolated attacks in any part of our
country,’’ he said. (NAN)
