Boko Haram leader Shekau injured, his deputy killed in air strike in northeast Nigeria

According to security sources, Abubakar Shekau, the Boko Haram leader has been injured in an air strike in northeast Nigeria. One of his deputies has also been killed in the incident.

Friday prayers were going on when the two Air Force jets bombarded fighters in Balla village.

A source with contacts within Boko Haram told AFP, “Shekau was wounded in the bombings and is believed to be receiving treatment near the Nigerian border with Cameroon around Kolofata.”

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“His deputy, Abba Mustapha, alias Malam Abba, was killed in the attack along with another key lieutenant, Abubakar Gashua, alias Abu Aisha,” he further added.

A member of the civilian militia in Maiduguri, Babakura Kolo, gave a similar account, saying “Shekau was injured and a number of commanders were killed. Among them is his deputy called Malam Abba. They suffered heavy casualties because the bombings targeted a large gathering of his followers attending Friday prayers.”

The Nigerian military have not commented on the incident yet. However, the authorities have earlier claimed to have killed Shekau on at least three occasions.

With inputs from PTI.

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