Nigerian Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau has been seriously wounded after trying to kill himself to avoid capture during clashes with rival Islamic State-allied jihadists in the north of the country, two intelligence sources said Thursday.

Shekau's Boko Haram faction and fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province had been battling in northeastern Borno state, where ISWAP militants have become the dominant force in Nigeria's more than decade-long jihadist insurgency.

Shekau, who made international headlines when his men kidnapped nearly 300 schoolgirls in Chibok in 2014, has been reported dead several times since Boko Haram first began its insurgency in 2009.

After a series of clashes, Shekau and some of his fighters were surrounded on Wednesday by ISWAP jihadists in Boko Haram's Sambisa forest stronghold, where they demanded he surrender, one intelligence source said.

"To avoid capture, Shekau shot himself in the chest and the bullet pierced his shoulder," the source said, adding: "He was badly injured."

Some of his men managed to escape with him to an unknown destination, the source added.

Shekau has been declared injured or dead several times before. 

A second intelligence source said Shekau was critically wounded after detonating explosives in the house where he was holed up with his men.

"We are investigating," Nigeria's army spokesman Mohammed Yerima told AFP by text, asked about those reports.

Shekau's critical injury or death would be a blow to his Boko Haram faction which has already been weakened by military airstrikes on its bases and defections among his men.

More than 40,000 people have been killed and over two million displaced from their homes by the conflict in northeast Nigeria, and fighting has spread to parts of neighboring Chad, Cameroon and Niger.

Boko Haram and ISWAP have fought battles for control of territory in the past.

ISWAP has emerged as the stronger force, carrying out complex attacks on the military and overrunning army bases.

AFP

*ARRESTED TOP COMMANDERS WHO ARE LOYAL TO BOKO HARAM LEADER(SHEKAU)*

The Schoolguides reporters have gathered facts about the shocking news of the Commanders who are aiding BOKO HARAM . Continue reading for full details.

 

The Islamic State of the West African Province (ISWAP) under the new leadership of Abu-Musad Albarnawy has taken over all territories under the control of late Abubakar Shekau in a major revenge onslaught against the former Boko Haram leader.

Sources knowledgeable about the terrorists’ groups said the ISWAP faction has arrested 30 top commanders loyal to the late Boko Haram leader.

Some of the commanders and others arrested include:

1. Abdul Bash, Commander Parisu

2. Abu Mujaheed, Commander of Sabil Huda

3. Mala Ali, Commander of Farisu

4. Amir Hassana, Commander Garin Dambe

5. Malam Bako, Commander Hizba

6. Amir Halid, Commander 

7. Njimiya Falluja, Commander Garin Mala

8. Abu- Fatima, Commander, Gwashke

9. Kaka BK, Commander Garin Abu Asmau.

10. Alai Bukar, Commander Mina Ngawri

11. Abu-Ubaida, Commander Jungle Gabra in Pulka

Amir Abdulrahman, Commander, Gobara

12. Abu Muhammad, Commander Alava

13. Ali Shara, Commander Yuwe Hanyan Bama

14. Amir Huzayfa, Commander Yuwe Hanyan Welcome

15. Abubakar Sarki, Commander Yuwe Hanyan Konduga

16. Ibn Abbas, Commander Barin Bulla Yaga

17. Ali Ngule, Commander Madara Mountain

18. Ummati Mai Shayi, Commander Madara Mountain

19. Mala Musa Abuja, the Chief Bomb Maker

20. Mallam Bana Sharra, Chief Judge to Shekau faction, located at Garin Mala Hassan

21. Baba Dr. Konduga, Chief Medical Doctor

22. Alava Road, Ma’azu Dan Lokodisa, the Chief Prison Officer

23. Alai Abba, the Caretaker of Women, children

24. Mala Musa, Chief Mechanic Officer, located at Parisu

25. Abu Zaid, Chief Bombmaker, located at Parisu

26. Abu Aisha Special Clearance operations Unit, Fairs

27. Amir Okasha, Bomb Timer,

28. Farisu and Amir Awana

Among other terrorists.

It was gathered that following the death of Shekau (leader of Boko-haram), ISWAP fighters in over 30 gun trucks and dozens of motorcycles stormed Sambisa forest forcing the Boko Haram Commanders loyal to Shekau to surrender or face instant execution.

This seems to be  great news as God has start to prevail in Nigerian's insurgency....

We pray God shall continue to take charge of the country.

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