Nigeria Claims 260 Boko Haram Militants Surrendered After Body-Double Leader Killed
Kat De Guzman | | Sep 25, 2014 04:41 AM EDT |
(Photo : Distributed by Cameroon Officials) A photo of Abubakar Shekau (R) appearing to be dead was released by the Cameroon military officials. The photo on the left side is used to show the resemblance.
More than 130 Boko Haram members surrendered after news broke that Cameroon military officials have killed Abubakar Shekau, the groups leader, according to information the Nigerian military released on Wednesday.
According to reports, 135 Boko Haram militants have given up their weapons to the Nigerian army troops last Tuesday during a fierce battle in the northeast town of Biu, located near the town where the extremist group has announced its caliphate.
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Major-General Chris Olukolade, the country's Defense spokesperson, said Boko Haram's "fake leader" was one of those killed in battle. He confirmed the a photo Cameroon officials released that showed a grainy image of a Shekau look-alike.
Shekau is known for using body doubles in the group's adventurism in Nigeria and Cameroon. The body double was identified as Mohammed Bashir.
Another 133 surrendered elsewhere, but its validity remains unconfirmed. The Boko Haram members are now reportedly being interrogated.
Boko Haram attacks were said to have started from September 12, but were repeatedly repelled by Cameroon forces. The extremist group has been stepping up their attacks to seize more villages in hopes of taking over the largest city of the region.
Recently, Boko Harram has been suffering from losses. During the past weeks, the group struck and attacked villages but the Nigerian military forces stepped up its operations and were determined to end the gruesome killing of innocents.
Experts handling the situation are saying that Boko Haram's losses are significant progress to completely dismantle the extremist group.
During the United Nations Security Council meeting, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan urged the council to find ways how to combat the growing threat.
Jonathan noted that the group is being funded by outside forces and that unity will only be the way to resolve the problem.
Boko Haram has been attacking villages and establishments they think represents Western Culture. The name of the group literally means "Western education is forbidden".
The group is also responsible in kidnapping more than 200 Chibok girls who remains in captivity from April up to the present. The girls are said to be used as slaves and child brides for the members of the militant group.
TagsAbubakar Shekau, Nigeria, Boko Haram mebers, Surrender, 260 members, Nigeria militant group
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