Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau injured in air strike by Nigerian fighter jets, senior militants killed

A statement by Army’s acting spokesman, Col Sani Usman, said Shekau was believed to have been injured on his shoulders, while some commanders of the group were killed in an aerial operation by the Nigerian Air Force.

The Nigerian Military today Tuesday, 23rd of August disclosed that an aerial operation on Boko Haram enclave in Sambisa Forest, has left some members of the insurgent group, including its factional leader, Abubakar Shekau fatally wounded

“In what one could describe as the most unprecedented and spectacular air raid, we have just confirmed that as a result of the interdiction efforts of the Nigerian Air Force, some key leaders of the Boko Haram terrorists have been killed while others were fatally wounded. “The air interdiction took place last week Friday 19th August 2016, while the terrorists were performing Friday rituals at Taye village, Gombale general area within Sambisa forest, Borno State.

“Those Boko Haram terrorists commanders confirmed dead include Abubakar Mubi, Malam Nuhu and Malam Hamman, amongst others, while their leader, the so-called ‘Abubakar Shekau’, is believed to be fatally wounded on his shoulders. Several other terrorists were also wounded.”

The military has reported Shekau’s death in the past, only to have a man purporting to be him appear later, apparently unharmed, making video statements.

There was no immediate reaction from the group.

Boko Haram’s list of victims – dead, displaced or abducted – meanwhile grows longer by the day.