Boko Haram: DHQ confirms killing of Shekau impersonator

The Nigerian military has after several days of speculation officially confirmed the killing of the impostor of the Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau after a fierce battle for the control of key town of Kondunga, which 35 kilometer to Maiduguri, Borno State Capital. This was announced Wednesday at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Abuja during a press briefing by the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade. Olukolade said that the real name of the  terrorist leader whose images appear in the Boko Haram videos as Abubakar Shekau, is Mohammed Bashir. He said that Bashir (Shekau) who has other nicknames,  including Abacha Geidam and Damasack amongst others were killed alongside other top Sect Commanders after five days of ruthless fighting in Konduga that lasted over five hours on each occasion. According to the DDI, the original Shekau is dead and turned to a brand, which any of his double such as Bashir could use to continue in their insurgent activities. Consequent upon the death of the Boko Haram Commanders, Olukolade disclosed that a total of additional 135 terrorists have as at Tuesday evening surrendered along with their equipment to the  Nigerian troops around Biu Local Government Area. “A group of 88 submitted themselves at Mairiga/Bun-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”, he said. - Thisday.