Islamic State Announces New Boko Haram Leader

In a Boko Haram video from January 2015, Abu Musab al-Barnawi was described as the group's spokesman. Boko Haram Video

Newsweek: ISIS Proclaims 'New Leader' for Boko Haram: Report

The Islamic State militant group (ISIS) has reportedly announced a new leader for its West Africa branch, which is closely associated with the Nigerian extremist group Boko Haram.

Abu Musab al-Barnawi, who previously featured in a Boko Haram video in January 2015 as a spokesman for the militants, is featured in the latest edition of a purported ISIS news outlet called Al-Naba. The interview designates Al-Barnawi as the group’s new leader but does not mention the fate of Abubakar Shekau, who has led Boko Haram in recent years, the BBC reported.

Boko Haram launched an armed insurgency against the Nigerian government in 2009 and has killed tens of thousands of people since then, as well as displacing more than 2 million. It has been based largely in northeast Nigeria, but also expanded attacks to neighboring Cameroon, Chad and Niger. It was founded by Nigerian cleric Mohammed Yusuf, with Shekau taking over the group’s leadership after Yusuf’s death in police custody in 2009.

Read more ....

More News On The Islamic State Announcing A New Boko Haram Leader

Boko Haram in Nigeria: Abu Musab al-Barnawi named as new leader -- BBC
ISIS announces new Boko Haram leader -- AP
Boko Haram overthrows its leader with new fanatic who promises NOT to attack mosques or markets used by Muslims -- Daily Mail
Uncertainty over Boko Haram leadership as IS group 'names new leader' -- France 24
IS Names New Leader of Boko Haram -- VOA
Islamic State announces new Boko Haram leader -- UPI
Islamic State Newspaper Names New Leader of Boko Haram -- Wall Street Journal