In a development that may bring relief to the terror-struck people of Nigeria, Chad President on Wednesday said that Islamist group Boko Haram’s leader Abubakar Shekau was ousted, adding that the group will be finished by the end of this year.
According to a report in the Telegraph, Chadian President Idriss Deby said that Abubakar Shekau had been toppled and was replaced by his deputy named Mahamat Daoud, who is said to be open to peace talks.
President Deby added that the new Boko Haram chief wanted to negotiated with the Nigerian government, however he suggested it would not be apt to negotiate with a terrorist.
“There is someone apparently called Mahamat Daoud who is said to have replaced Abubakr Shekau and he wants to negotiate with the Nigerian government…For my part, I would advise not to negotiate with a terrorist,” the Telegraph quoted Deby as speaking in a press conference.
Deby’s comments came as Boko Haram is said to have come on a back foot after intensified offensive by Chadian and Nigerian government.
Boko Haram under the leadership of Abubakar Shekau evoked worldwide outrage after it kidnapped more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls last year.
Shekau also appeared in many videos claiming that the kidnapped girls had been sold or married to Islamist fighters.
