Army commanders claim Boko Haram leader Shekau has assassinated sect's bomb maker

NIGERIAN Army commanders have claimed that Boko Haram's chief bomb maker known has been killed by the sect's leader Sheikh Abubakar Shekau who ordered one of his bodyguards to shoot him for trying to abscond.

 

Over recent weeks, the military has enjoyed significant success against Boko Haram as it continues to sweep through the sect's stronghold of Sambisa Forest in Borno State. According to the army high command, this has created disarray among its fighters, with many of them laying down their arms and fleeing.

 

It is believed that the bomb maker who is the sect's leading scientist tried to flee from the approaching government troops and Sheikh Shekau spotted him and ordered his execution.  Army spokesman, Col Sani Usman, said that the suspected chief bomb maker was one of their capable hands involved in making improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

 

Boko Haram former top scientist, a man known as Abu RPG was believed to have been killed long ago and the bomb maker who took over from him is believed to have taken over his role. His second in command, a man known as Julelebeeb is said to now be completely blind because his two eyes were reportedly shattered by shrapnel in the process of preparing an IED to consolidate his appointment.

 

Col Usman said: “The chief bomb maker was killed by one of the bodyguards of the Boko Haram terrorist leader, Abubakar Shekau, as he was about to abscond just like several others are doing because of the intensity of Operation Crackdown. This development has dealt a devastating blow on the terrorists’ capacity on IED preparation, suicide bombing and their ability to sustain their criminal acts.”

 

He added government the troops were continuing with the clearance and rescue operations successfully in order to completely clear Boko Haram terrorists wherever they might be hiding. Meanwhile, during the course of the operation, the army was said to have uncovered a video showing Boko Haram women fighters slaughtering one of their female captives.

According to military sources, the terrorists have trained and hardened female killers who are mostly assigned to exterminate their female captives or erring members. Apparently, some of these female combatants are not only fierce and heartless but sometimes wear military fatigues.