The government of Borno State has stated that over 95 percent of individuals with Boko Haram ideology, particularly the group’s founding members, are either deceased or have surrendered.
The Special Adviser to the Borno State Government on Security Affairs, Brig. Gen. Ishaq Abdullahi (Rtd) made this knwon on Sunday.
Speaking with DailyTrust, he stated that only about 10 of the founding members could still be alive.
Many of the top commanders died due to leadership conflicts between Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters and Boko Haram insurgents loyal to the late Abubakar Shekau after his death in 2021, Abdullahi stated.
He also revealed that the military have been responsible for the deaths of some Boko Haram and ISWAP top commanders.
His words“One of their leaders said out of 300 of them that started the Boko Haram sect in pre-2009, less than 10 people could be alive now. Even the remaining 10 leaders have scattered due to the game of powers.
“Some are dead as a result of snake bites in the bush, some died as a result of military actions, some drown during rainy seasons, some died due to gunshot wounds; some as a result of massive surrendering we have witnessed in the last two years.
“Some as a result of in-fighting among them because of the leadership positions, especially after the death of Shekau and that has led to the death of more than 90 per cent of the die-hards with Boko Haram ideology.
“On the other hand, many top commanders of ISWAP have lost their lives to several crises among them.
“So, if you look at it, the ideology is gone and I can tell you that those parading themselves now are criminals who don’t have the ideology.”
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