Abubakar Shekau

Abubakar Shekau (; 1969 or 1975 – 20 May 2021), also known by his alias Darul Tawheed (), was a Nigerian Islamist terrorist. He is the leader of the Nigerian militant group Boko Haram, whose insurgency began in 2009. He served as deputy leader to the group's founder, Mohammed Yusuf, until Yusuf was killed in 2009. Shekau then became the leader of the group.

Shekau was born in Yobe State, Nigeria and is a Kanuri. He speaks Hausa, Arabic, and English. He has four wives. He has been reported dead several times during the early 21st century.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Shekau killed himself by suicide vest on 20 May 2021 to avoid being captured. Nigerian officials confirmed his suicide.

References

Category:20th-century births
Category:2021 deaths
Category:Islamic State people
Category:Murderers who committed suicide
Category:Islamist insurgents
Category:People from Yobe State
Category:Suicide bombings in Africa
Category:Suicide in 2021