A press release from the Nigerian Government has dismissed reports that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has appointed a new leader for Boko Haram as “cheap propaganda.”
ISIS had announced that Boko Haram has a new leader, Abu Musab al-Barnawi.
The BBC reported Mr. al-Barnawi, who was previously the spokesman for the Boko Haram terrorists, was featured in the latest issue of an ISIS magazine.
The press release stated “it is too late to employ such tactics to revive the defeated Nigerian terrorist organization.”
Mr. al-Barnawi who stated that there is a Western plot to Christianize the region, threatened to bomb churches in the region while desisting from attacking mosques and markets used by Muslims.
There was no mention of Mr. Abubakar Shekau, former Boko Haram leader in the magazine.
News of this new appointment follows years of speculation regarding the whereabouts and health of Mr. Shekau.
