Boko Haram ringleader blows himself up: Daesh branch

Daesh reportedly announces the self-afflicted death of the notorious ringleader of Boko Haram, its fellow Takfiri terrorist outfit based in Nigeria that had entered alliance with the group before allegedly going rogue.

Daesh’s West Africa offshoot announced the development in an audio recording on Sunday, Reuters reported.

Abubakar Shekau ”killed himself instantly by detonating an explosive” during May 18 clashes, the message said.

The Daesh branch has been battling Boko Haram for some time, and reportedly carried orders for taking Shekau out for his insubordination towards Daesh’s higherups.

Shekau took his own life after reported clashes between the Daesh splinter group and Boko Haram, during which he sought to flee, but was eventually cornered.

Before blowing himself up, the Boko Haram ringleader was reportedly given a chance to give himself up.

Under Shekau, Boko Haram developed into, what some analysts judge as, one of the most ferocious Takfiri outfits that Africa has ever seen to itself. During the height of the group’s activities, Shekau had once allied himself with Daesh.

Boko Haram has killed more than 30,000 people, engaged in mass kidnappings, and forced around two million people to flee their homes.

Observers now warn that his death could be followed by the Daesh offshoot’s absorbing Boko Haram’s terrorists and consolidating Daesh’s activities in Nigeria and beyond.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir