Journalist Close To Boko Haram Reveals Shekau Is “Alive & Well”

Dubai-based Nigerian journalist Ahmed Salkida, who reportedly maintains communication with some leaders of the Islamist insurgent group Boko Haram, claimed yesterday via his twitter page that the sect’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, is alive and well. Mr. Salkida denied reports asserting that Nigerian troops had killed Shekau, the speaker and voice in numerous videos released by Boko Haram. Mr. Salkida also dismissed media reports that the Nigerian government was negotiating with Boko Haram for the release of more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped in mid-April in Chibok, Borno State.

The reporter’s tweet also described as untrue reports that the International Red Cross (IRC) was working on a deal that would persuade Boko Haram to free the abducted Chibok schoolgirls in exchange for the release of detained Islamist insurgents in the custody of Nigerian security agencies.

A confidential debriefing document by the Nigerian army obtained last week by SaharaReporters also acknowledged that Mr. Shekau stayed permanently in his holdout in Sambisa Forest and was not in the habit of venturing out to battles. Item “R” of the document stated, ”Shekau has his wife and 2 children in Sambisa Forest. He is Kanuri, he speaks Hausa and he does not travel.”

Source: SaharaReporters / Twitter