'Dead' Boko Haram Leader Denies Dying, Insists He's Alive
- Boko Haram commander Ibrahim Bakoura, also known as Abu Oumaima, has reportedly denied claims by Niger Republic that he was killed in recent air strikes
- Security sources revealed an intercepted message where Bakoura allegedly told his men he read news of his death online but was still alive
- The uncertainty has left doubts over the success of Niger’s operation and raised concerns for communities in the Lake Chad region
Reports surrounding the fate of Boko Haram commander Ibrahim Bakoura, also known as Abu Oumaima, have caused fresh confusion after he reportedly denied being killed in a Niger Republic military operation.
The Nigerien Armed Forces had announced that Bakoura was among several insurgent leaders eliminated during air strikes carried out on August 15 in Diffa region, The Cable reported.
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The operation targeted suspected militant enclaves in Korongol, Kournawa, and Shilawa, where dozens of fighters were said to have been neutralized and supplies destroyed.
Nigerien authorities presented Bakoura’s death as a major breakthrough against insurgency, with President Abdurahamane Tiani previously describing him as one of the key figures behind destabilization efforts in the country.
The announcement was met with relief among citizens who have endured repeated attacks in Diffa and surrounding areas.
Boko Haram leader still alive
An intercepted message obtained by security sources suggested otherwise.
According to counter-insurgency monitor Zagazola Makama, Bakoura was recorded telling his subordinates that he saw the news of his death online but was still alive.
Source: Facebook
He admitted that the Nigerien military bombardment took place but claimed he was not among those killed in the strikes.
Bakoura is a long-time commander within the Boko Haram network and is believed to have significant influence in the Lake Chad basin where multiple extremist factions operate.
His survival or death carries implications for counter-terrorism efforts in the region.
Kidnap victims escape after airstrikes hit bandits’ camps
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that sixty-two people held captive by armed bandits in Katsina State have regained freedom after military airstrikes forced their abductors to abandon their hideouts.
The operation, which took place on Saturday evening in Danmusa Local Government Area, targeted the camp of a notorious bandit leader, Muhammadu Fulani, whose group has been behind several violent attacks in the region.
The Nigerian Air Force confirmed that the joint air and ground assault disrupted the stronghold of the criminals around Jigawa Sawai, a border community linking Katsina and Zamfara States. The sudden bombardment triggered chaos among the gang, providing an escape route for the hostages who had been in captivity for over a month.
According to officials, twelve of the freed victims are currently receiving medical treatment at Matazu General Hospital, while another sixteen are being cared for at the Army Forward Operating Base in Kaiga Malamai.
Bandits kill over 35 in Zamfara
Earlier, Legit.ng reported at least 35 abductees were killed by kidnappers in Nigeria’s northern Zamfara State, despite families having paid substantial ransom sums for their release, a local government official told the BBC.
The mass abduction occurred in March when 56 individuals were seized from Banga village, located in the Kauran Namoda Local Government Area.
The attackers, described as armed criminal gangs commonly referred to as bandits, demanded a ransom of one million naira (approximately $655 or £485) per person, according to Nigerian media reports.
Source: Legit.ng
