BOKO HARAM MEMBERS BATTLE THEMSELVES OVER WHO SUCCEEDS SHEKAU

Barely a week after men of the Nigeria Army killed the leader of the outlawed Islamist, Boko Haram group, Abubakar Shekau, in a gun duel in Konduga, Borno State, succession crisis has hit the camp of the insurgents, claiming 30 lives. The victims, were reportedly killed in the succession wrangling within its ranks in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State. Madagali is one of the local government areas overran by the militants, which they have turned to their operational headquarters, in Adamawa State. Investigations revealed that the 30 militants lost their lives when argument ensued between the sect members on which of its field commanders should be crowned as its leader following the death of Shekau.

Daily Newswatch gathered that hell was let loose when some members suggested that the game was over and that they should seize fire and hand over weapons to Federal Government. It was also gathered that the succession of the slain leader was another reason for the fracas that claimed the lives of the members. “Over 30 Boko Haram fighters were killed in Madagali town after a fight ensued among them over the disagreement about whether or not to surrender their weapons. They just kept shooting themselves sporadically,’’ said a resident, David Chakawa.

Chakawa told reporters in a telephone interview said that there has been disquiet among members of the group with some making agitating for seize fire. “There is also leadership crisis over who should emerge the new leader in Madagali”, he further said.

For almost three weeks now, Madagali, Gulak, Shuwa and Michika towns have been under the control of Boko Haram members. According to some residents of these area in control of the militants, violators of the harsh rules imposed by the militants have had their fingers cut-off or were subjected to some other forms of corporal punishments. Effort to get military and police reaction did not yield positive result at the time of filling this report.

Meanwhile, some of the insurgents on motorcycles late Wednesday killed about 18 people in an attack in Shaffa, near Biu. The attack left bodies in the street, witness Amos Mshelia, who escaped by running into the surrounding bush, said in a telephone conversation. “People ran out of their houses in fear, but unknown to many of us, the insurgents were nearby and they were pursuing people, shooting as we were fleeing,” he said