Abubakar Shekau (Arabic: أبو بكر شيكاو; 1969 or 1975 – 20 May 2021), also known by his alias Darul Tawheed (Arabic: دار التوحيد), 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.[1]
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.[2][3] Nigerian officials confirmed his suicide.[3]
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