24-year-old Bakura Modu has emerged as the new leader of Boko Haram terrorist organisation, whose reign of terror in the Lake Chad region and Nigeria’s North-East has killed thousands and rendered millions homeless.
This was contained in a video released by the sect, where Modu appeared, stressing the readiness of the group to work with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
The announcement confirmed the death of the jihadist group former leader, Abubakar Shekau.
Modu, who prayed for Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the former BH spiritual leader, appeared to be calling on Shekau’s loyalists not to lose heart but brace up with realities and find their ways to the fold.
Meanwhile, Audu Bulama Bukarti of Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, while speaking with BBC Hausa Service said Shekau’s death presents an opportunity for the Nigerian military to cash on the infighting amongst the terrorists group to finish them once and for all.
“Death of Shekau was a heavy blow on the terrorist faction under his leadership and doubt if the new leader has the capacity to do what Shekau did during his reign of terror across the northeast region.”
“Abu Musab Albarnawi is currently losing ground as the leader of ISWAP as group members have likened him to the wicked son of the prophet implying that his father late Mohammed Yusuf has led the ground well but his leadership is bringing more uncertainty in their ideology.” Audu added.
Shekau, who gained notoriety after kidnapping nearly 300 school girls in 2014, killed himself last month rather than surrender after IS-allied rivals attacked his base camp in Nigeria’s northeast Borno state, security sources said.
In an audio, ISWAP commander Abu Musab Al-Barnawi had already claimed Shekau killed himself while on the run from ISWAP fighters.
