ISIS announces new Boko Haram leader
- 8 years ago
Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamic extremists have a new leader who promises to end attacks on mosques and markets used by Muslims.
The group's al-Nabaa newspaper identified Abu Musab al-Barnawi as the new "Wali" of its West Africa Province, a title used to describe long-time leader Abubakar Shekau.
An interview with al-Barnawi suggests a major change in strategy for the Nigerian extremists, who have attacked mosques with suicide bombers and gunmen, blown up suicide bombers in crowded marketplaces and killed and kidnapped school children.
al-Barnawi said that under his leadership the militants will work to seize back territory.
He claimed that growing numbers of youth are coming on board, though Nigeria's military reports that hundreds of its fighters have surrendered as aerial bombardments and ground assaults cut supply routes.
The group's al-Nabaa newspaper identified Abu Musab al-Barnawi as the new "Wali" of its West Africa Province, a title used to describe long-time leader Abubakar Shekau.
An interview with al-Barnawi suggests a major change in strategy for the Nigerian extremists, who have attacked mosques with suicide bombers and gunmen, blown up suicide bombers in crowded marketplaces and killed and kidnapped school children.
al-Barnawi said that under his leadership the militants will work to seize back territory.
He claimed that growing numbers of youth are coming on board, though Nigeria's military reports that hundreds of its fighters have surrendered as aerial bombardments and ground assaults cut supply routes.