Boko Haram ‘Picks’ Daoud as new Leader... Sparks Speculations Abubakar Shekau May Be Dead

Chad President, Idriss Deby has said Boko Haram has picked a new leader, fuelling speculation that Abubakar Shekau may actually be dead.


Deby did not say what had happened to Shekau, but disclosed that the face of Boko Haram had been replaced by Mahamat Daoud who has not been heard of before.

TheCable has seen a picture appearing to show the dead body of Shekau in a place identified as Sambisa forest, but a military spokesman said he could neither deny nor confirm the claim.

Shekau was last heard of in March when he announced Boko Haram’s alliance to the Islamic State (IS). 

Ahmad Sakilda, a Nigerian journalist, known to have access to commanders of the sect, had predicted that Shekau could be replaced as a result of the IS deal.

Shekau has been missing in the group’s videos in the last five months, lending force to the belief that he has been killed. 

President Idriss Deby of Chad says Boko Haram has picked a new leader, fuelling speculation that Abubakar Shekau may indeed be dead.