5 new facts about Boko Haram you should know

5 new facts about Boko Haram you should know

Since the announcement of Abu Musab Al-Barnawi as new Boko Haram leader by ISIS, there has been a war of words between Abubakar Shekau, the former leader and the new one.

Shekau in 2009 took over when the group's founder, Muhammad Yusuf, died in police custody in Nigeria.

5 new facts about Boko Haram you should know
Abubakar Shekau embattled leader of Boko Haram

He is described as having a photographic memory, being well-versed in Islamic theology, and being extremely ruthless.

In one of the videos released after one of the group’s attacks, Shekau said, “I enjoy killing anyone that God commands me to kill - the way I enjoy killing chickens and rams.”

READ ALSO: Why new B’Haram leader is a threat to Nigeria

Legit.ng has gathered 5 new facts about the insurgents you should know:

1. The group is divided and has 2 leaders; Shekau and Al-Barnawi.

Boko Haram now has two rival leaders. For months there have been speculations over the fate of Shekau, who has led the group since 2009 but has not been heard from since March.

But on Thursday, August 4, following a report suggesting he had been replaced, Shekau released an audio message insisting he was still very much alive and in charge of the group. He dismissed Barnawi as an infidel who condones living in an un-Islamic society without waging jihad. The group has however become fractured under his leadership.

2. Disturbance over the interpretation of the Quran in the group.

Leaders of the Boko Haram sect who say they seek to establish a pure Islamic state can neither read the Quran, the Muslim holy book, nor explain how Muslim prayers are performed.

The group is despised by most Nigerian Muslims who view its violent activities-which include frequent attacks on civilian targets-as entirely un-Islamic.

3. Boko haram low on food supplies.

Food shortages indicate that Nigeria's military has allegedly succeeded in choking supply routes of the Islamic extremists who have taken their fight across Nigeria's borders. Over time as the Nigerian troops have defeated the insurgents, they have gradually run out of food supplies. Most of their suppliers have either been confiscated by the military or Joint Task Force (JTF). As a result of this, many children and women in Boko Haram custody gave themselves up to soldiers.

5 new facts about Boko Haram you should know
The new leader of Boko Haram, Abu Musab al-Barnawi

4. They don’t have sufficient ammunition to fight with

As the Nigerians military intensified attacks on Sambiza Forest, an escapee and military sources revealed that remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists have run out of arms and ammunitions.

The shortages of weapons have caused tensions between the group’s foot soldiers and leaders.

5. Shekau accused of being selfish and bloodthirsty

Most Boko Haram leaders, such as Mamman Nur and Al-Barnawi, who have begun to oppose Shekau, accuse the embattled leader of deviating from the original cause of the group. They say Shekau has made the group’s fight about himself.

Most of them want Boko Haram to stop killing Muslims, women and children. They also want the group to stop bombing Mosques, markets and other public places.

Shekau, in his tape, said he “opposed them by saying that one cannot stay in the domain of the infidels without showing his opposition to the prevailing system”.

He said “it is not possible for a Muslim to profess his faith without kicking against an infidel system”, saying that is the creed of the Boko Haram ideology.

READ ALSO: 5 reasons why Shekau was sacked as B'Haram leader

Boko Haram which was founded in 2002 is comprised of radical Islamists who oppose both Westerners and “apostate” Muslims.

The terrorist group seeks to establish a “pure” Islamic state ruled by sharia law, putting a stop to what it deems “Westernization.” Its followers are said to be influenced by the Koranic phrase which says: “Anyone who is not governed by what Allah has revealed is among the transgressors.

Source: Legit.ng

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