The Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) militant group said in an audio recording heard by Reuters on Sunday that Abubakar Shekau, leader of rival Nigerian militant Islamist group Boko Haram, is dead. A Nigerian intelligence report shared by a government official and Boko Haram researchers have also said Shekau is dead. The names of missing Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram militants are displayed on desks in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2019. ISWAP was previously part of Boko Haram before its split five years ago, pledging allegiance to Islamic State. The schism was caused by religious ideological disagreements over the killing of civilians by Boko Haram, to which ISWAP objected.

Source: CBC News June 07, 2021 19:16 UTC