A top security source confided in THISDAY that Shekau was shot at the neck and other parts of the body, adding that given the extent of gunshot wounds he sustained, it was unlikely that he could have survived.
The source said the military high command was hesitant in announcing his death because the chief informant through which he was being monitored had been killed by the sect. This, he added, has scuttled efforts to get the proof about the demise of the sect boss as claimed by the Joint Task Force (JTF).
According to him, the general feeling from various sources is that Shekau might have died from the gunshot wounds he sustained during a gun duel with troops of the JTF.
The source, however, was quick to clarify that there was no concrete and verifiable evidence to support such claims as the main informant, who could have exposed the remains of the Boko Haram leader had been killed.
The source also supported the impression that the information was released hastily, and suggested that there should have been a coordinated massive hunt with neighbouring countries to ascertain his death.
“You see in all honesty, there is every likelihood the man is dead. The problem now is proving it. As you know, this is not a thing you can convince people easily until there is something concrete to prove it and you must garner sufficient evidence to support your claims.
“And in reality, what is available does not look sufficient enough, and it is not out of place considering our relationship with our neighbours if for instance, with their cooperation, we launch a well coordinated investigation in their territory to confirm this before saying it out,” the source said.
Investigation further revealed that the JTF relied on intelligence trailing and volunteers giving information on Shekau’s movement after he was shot in the neck and other parts of the body.
It was said that he (Shekau) was being trailed from Sambisa forest to Gwoza mountains, where he was cornered and fatally wounded but managed to escape to where he was being treated.
Military sources said his movements were monitored until the major link was killed and there was no more information about him until JTF concluded that he could not have survived the attack.
According to the source, “It was not Cameroun (or any of the neighbouring countries) but the information came from two sources; the first is the people who volunteered, another one was intelligence trailing of the development surrounding Shekau’s whereabouts, especially after he was shot.
“However, the big question is where is the physical evidence, the pictures, where was he buried. Those are the real issues that we don’t want to talk about now.”
The source continued: “The real story is that after he was shot, he escaped and was taking treatment and while he was being treated, information was passing backwards to indicate his movements until nothing was heard about him anymore.
“Then one of the people who was the direct source of information was actually killed. So, that severed any contact, or link and with that, his latest whereabouts was not certain.
“You know this is not the first time he was wounded, and that’s the fact. After he was wounded, he was limping. Also, this time, he was shot at the neck and other parts of the body and the conclusion, in addition to all the intelligence reports, is that he could not have survived this latest injuries but you really never can say.”
In a related development, Defence Headquarters has refused to speak on the issue surrounding Shekau’s death.
The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade, while responding to THISDAY enquiries, only spoke on the new Army Division that took over from JTF on Monday.
Olukolade explained that the new army division was a permanent outfit that would be watching over the whole stretch of the North-eastern flank, especially Borno and Yobe States.
“It is like a routine now and not a task force like the JTF. They are now bona fide to that area. If you are posted there, it will not be like a temporary thing anymore. So, that is the difference from the task force. They have started operation since Monday,” he added.
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