SHEKAU ‘I was deceived,’ Boko Haram leader speaks out

Shekau made the comment after ISIS appointed Abu Musab al-Barnawi, a former Boko Haram spokesman, as his replacement.

Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau has said that he was deceived by the Islamic State (ISIS).

Shekau made the comment after ISIS appointed Abu Musab al-Barnawi, a former Boko Haram spokesman, as his replacement.

The overthrown terrorist boss spoke in an audio message released in Hausa and Arabic in reaction to ISIS’ announcement.

“We have heard news going round and attributed to people we had earlier pledge allegiance to. Even though we are not against them based on the message we heard in the world radio but we are still on our ideology,” Shekau said in the message which was translated by Sahara Reporters.

“In the first place, we sat and I was deceived, they said I should write my ideology to be taken if there is a mistake they will point out and bring back. They now deceived me, and it is based on some authorities and today I found out that there is one who is following principles of the infidels, which they want me to follow,”he added.

Shekau pledged his allegiance to ISIS in March 2015 and subsequently went underground.

He resurfaced in a video in March 2016 looking weak and urged his followers to surrender.