The leader of the most violent faction of the Islamist terrorist group, Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau may be dead, again. But the credibility of the claim by the Joint Task Force (JTF), that Shekau died of gunshot wounds he sustained in a cross fire with Special Military Operation Forces (SMOF) at the Sambisa Games Forest Reserve; 55 km southeast of the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, was put in doubt by a video showing a man resembling the burly, thickly bearded Shekau claiming responsibility for a recent terrorist attack. The JTF says the man in the video, which has not been independently verified, is an impostor. Whatever the case, this is the fifth time Shekau has been pronounced wounded or dead; therefore, this latest announcement, is no comforting news, while the denial is even embarrassing.
An air of mystery has long surrounded Shekau, ever since he succeeded Muhammad Yusuf, Boko Haram’s founder, who was killed in police custody in 2009. Shekau is said to be 36, others say he may be 44; but such uncertainty even about his age adds to his mystique. Shekau has radicalized Boko Haram and overseen more deadly and coordinated attacks that have claimed no fewer than 3000 lives. On August 19, the Joint Task Force (JTF) declared that Shekau may be dead. According to a statement by JTF spokesman, Lt.-Col Sagir Musa, Shekau died at an undisclosed hospital in Amitchide, a Cameroonian border town. The statement read in part: “Intelligence report available to the Joint Task Force Operation Restore Order revealed that Abubakar Shekau, the most dreaded and wanted Boko Haram terrorist leader may have died. He died of gunshot wounds sustained in an encounter with the JTF troops in one of their camps at Sambisa Forest on 30 June 2013…Shekau was mortally wounded in the encounter and sneaked into Amitchide; a border community in Cameroon for treatment which he never recovered from. It is greatly believed that Shekau might have died on 25 July to 3 August, 2013.”
The announcement of Shekau’s death followed similar comments of optimism by the Minister for Special Duties and Chairman, Presidential Committee on Amnesty and Dialogue, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, to the effect that the Boko Haram insurgency would soon end; although he could not confirm or deny Shekau’s death. If he is truly dead, Shekau’s passing would mark the end of an era for Boko Haram; which now seems to have splintered into factions; and it is unclear how Shekau coordinates them. Shekau may lack his predecessor’s charisma yet plainly, he wields power over an inner circle whose members pass his orders to the foot soldiers. If his death is confirmed, offshoots of the group may perhaps be willing to engage the government in talks that might eventually lead to a ceasefire. If Shekau is still alive and reasserts his leadership, his allure will be greater still.
There are indeed, many reasons to take the purported announcement of Shekau’s death with little seriousness; not the least of which is the fact that since his alleged demise, at least 70 people have been killed in bombings and shootings in Borno state. Coordinated lethal attacks have continued, despite the state of emergency in some northern states, and repeated military claims that the insurgents are being snuffed out. Besides, it is common knowledge that if Shekau was dead, there would be a statement issued by the Shura Council of Boko Haram announcing that their leader has transitioned as martyr. They will also announce a new leader who will unveil his face. This is presently not the case. In addition, the JTF claim that Shekau might have died on July 25 to August 3; is not only ridiculous but laughable and highlights official uncertainty.
Most significantly, Shekau’s killing was revealed in a statement by JTF spokesman, which was made available to reporters in Maiduguri; not through a clear and official announcement by the President of the Republic to the Nigerian people; who as victims, are primary stakeholders in the war with Boko Haram, which has been declared a terrorist organization and subject to the full application of the provisions of the 2011 Terrorism Prevention Act. Contrast the seriousness of purpose and presidential leadership of Barack Obama during the death of Osama bin Laden; and it is easy to conclude that the laconic JTF statement and the cavalier manner of the announcement neither reflected confidence nor inspired credibility.
The JTF, perhaps deliberately, did not explain clearly the circumstances in which Shekau is believed to have been wounded; and where and how exactly he died; and whether he has been buried; and if so, where was he buried. If, as can be deciphered, this non-disclosure was a conscious strategy, then the need to make any announcement at all should not have arisen. The point must also be made that Nigeria as a nation is not on equal standing with Boko Haram and cannot, therefore be fighting a public relations battle with a group which remains largely a faceless organization. In point of fact and law, the proscription of Boko Haram challenges the modus operandi of the Presidential committee on amnesty, as it may be asserted that, the Turaki-led committee is meeting with terrorists wanted by the law to answer for their acts of criminality. All these make the argument for discretion even more compelling.
Shekau’s death certainly will not mark the end of Boko Haram. Therefore, it stretches good judgment, that without any concrete evidence; a democratically elected government would go public with such an announcement and make noise about it. Worse still, the group is talking back at the government like an equal. In handling the bin Laden operation, the United States signposted the quality of leadership that President Obama and his team put on display. Although there was no public display of bin Laden’s corpse, the average American felt reassured that his or her interest has been defended. This should serve as a lesson to Nigerian leaders. The federal government should learn from the tenacity of purpose that Americans displayed in the bin Laden case. In putting an end to the bin Laden menace ten years after, America sent a signal that no one can violate its territorial integrity and get away with it. Nigeria should learn to act with such resoluteness in relating with Boko Haram.
