The loquacious man who appeared in many videos taunting President Goodluck Jonathan and his American counterpart Barack Obama is dead, the military announced yesterday.
The clarification by Defense Headquarters (DHQ) spokesman Major-Gen. Chris Olukolade ended the controversy over the fate of the man who the military said assumed “Abubakar Shekau”, the late “eccentric” leader of the Boko Haram.
Residents of towns where the military fought Boko Haram insurgents confirmed that the man who was known as Bashir Mohammed was, indeed, the one killed, the DHQ said.
The impostor appeared in a video, boasting that the abducted Chibok girls would be sold and married off. He said Jonathan and Obama were embarking on a futile mission, trying to catch him.
Besides, he showed up on television screens claiming responsibility for many Boko Haram bombings.
Gen. Olukolade gave yesterday in Abuja an update on the anti-terrorism battle. He said 135 Boko Haram insurgents surrendered in Yobe and Adamawa states.
He said while 88 gave up in Mairiga/Buni – Yadi, 45 were captured in and around Mubi – Michika in Adamawa State.
All the captives are undergoing interrogation in some designated military facilities.
The DHQ said that many terrorists were killed. They included Mohammed Bashir, who has been “acting or posing on videos as the deceased Abubakar Shekau, the eccentric character known as leader of the group.”
Gen. Olukolade claimed that Boko Haram made four futile attempts to occupy Konduga, which is about 60 kilometres to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Each of the four encounters with Boko Haram in Konduga, between 12 and 17 September, lasted about five hours.
Gen. Olukolade said: “Nigerian troops have been conducting coordinated air and land operations in furtherance of efforts at containing the terrorists in the North-Eastern part of the country.
“Somehow, it became apparent that the terrorists in continuation of their campaign of terror were determined to take over communities around Maiduguri, which is their prime target.
“There was therefore the need to ensure that communities, such as Konduga, were protected. It is noteworthy that the terrorists made not less than four attempts between 12 and 17 September 2014 to violate the security and enter Konduga to perpetrate their atrocities. Air and land forces were subsequently deployed to handle the situation.
“The convoy of combat vehicles typical of terrorists’ mission that involves their top commanders was fiercely engaged by the land and air forces.
“Several of the terrorists, including some of their commanders, lost their lives in the encounters, which lasted an average of about five hours each.”
The DHQ said the troops killed some of the Boko Haram terrorists and 135 others were either captured or surrendered in Yobe and Adamawa states.
It said Mohammed Bashir, who was an “impostor” of Boko Haram leader Imam Abubakar Shekau, was among those killed by troops.
The statement added: “The troops captured some of the terrorists and their equipment. In the course of those encounters, one Mohammed Bashir, who has been acting or posing on videos as the deceased Abubakar Shekau, the eccentric character known as 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 as well as all terrorists that seek to violate the freedom and territory of Nigeria.
“On restoring normalcy after the encounter, inhabitants of the community who were victims of terrorists’ activities corroborated information on the identity of Bashir Mohammed, alias Abubakar Shekau, alias Abacha Abdullahi Geidam, alias Damasack etc. Indeed, the recent devastation on the leadership of the insurgents is attributable to the renewed commitment to the mission of eradicating terrorism in our country.
“Meanwhile, a total of 135 terrorists yesterday evening surrendered along with equipment to troops around Biu Local Government Area.
“A group of 88 submitted themselves at Mairiga/Buni – Yadi while another group of 45 terrorists were taken in around Mubi – Michika. They are all being interrogated and processed in conformity with the dictates of standard best practices.”
While praising the gallantry of troops, the DHQ vowed to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists.
The statement said: “The Defense Headquarters applauds the gallantry of the Nigerian troops who have remained undaunted and professional in prosecuting this campaign against terror. The keen interest 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 momentum in the efforts to decimate and defeat terrorists.
“The invaluable efforts toward achieving sustainable peace and victory against the terrorists are highly appreciated.
“It is 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 unawares by terrorist elements who might want to carry out isolated attacks in any part of our country.”
THE OLD: The original Abubakar Shekau and THE NEW: The fake Abubakar Shekau (Muhammed Bashir)
THE OLD: The original Abubakar Shekau and THE NEW: The fake Abubakar Shekau (Muhammed Bashir)
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