Military Closes in On Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram Leader
Intelligence sources disclosed to THISDAY that Shekau had been cornered
but could not yet be taken out because of the use of captured girls,
women and children as shield by him.
A top intelligence source, who doesn't want to give more details
because of the sensitive nature of the operation, noted that "Shekau's
operational areas had been depleted and the military are ever closer to
locating him".
"The military knows where he is but the truth is that he is using some of the captives as shield," the source said.
Meanwhile, Western forces in the lake Chad region are said to have avoided confrontation with the insurgents.
The AFP reported yesterday that Canadian Special Forces participating
in military training in southeast Niger, near the border with Nigeria,
were ordered to withdraw recently to avoid fighting Boko Haram.
According to the report, the troops had been posted to the town of
Diffa, where the government of Niger declared a state of emergency on
February 11 following attacks in the region that borders Boko Haram's
stronghold in Northeast Nigeria.
The Canadians, it noted, were participating in US-sponsored counter-terrorism training that started on February 16 and due to end on March 9.
The annual programme has 1,300 troops from 19 countries training
militaries in five African countries in shooting, movement,
communications, and mission planning.
Dominique Tessier from Canada's defense department did not say how many
Canadians were at risk of confrontation with Boko Haram, but noted in
an email to AFP that "several members" were relocated from Diffa to
other areas such as Agadez and Niamey in Niger and N'Djamena in Chad
"due to security issues."
"This was seen as a prudent measure given the current security
situation in the region," Tessier said, adding the exercise continues.
The Canadian Special Forces also stand ready to provide humanitarian or other assistance, should Ottawa decide to offer help, Tessier said.
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