The Borno State government recently shared an update indicating that a significant portion of individuals who once supported the ideology of Boko Haram, particularly its founding members, have either perished or surrendered.
Brig. Gen. Ishaq Abdullahi, the Special Adviser to the Borno State Government on Security Affairs, conveyed this information during an interview with Newsmen in Maiduguri.
He mentioned that the leadership structure within the group is currently chaotic, with only approximately 10 of the original founders potentially still alive.
Abdullahi explained that the demise of many senior commanders within Boko Haram resulted from power struggles between factions loyal to the late Abubakar Shekau and those aligned with the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP).
According to reports, a former leader estimated that out of around 300 individuals who initiated the Boko Haram movement prior to 2009, fewer than 10 may remain alive.
Moreover, even among these remaining leaders, conflicts over authority have dispersed their ranks.
Various factors have contributed to the decline in Boko Haram’s ranks, including fatalities from encounters with military forces, environmental hazards such as snake bites and drowning during rainy seasons, and a significant number of surrendering members in recent years.
Internal discord within the group, particularly intensified after Shekau’s demise, has also resulted in substantial losses among those dedicated to the organization’s original ideology.
Furthermore, Abdullahi highlighted that the ISWAP faction has also suffered losses due to internal strife.
Consequently, he asserted that the core ideology driving Boko Haram has largely dissipated, with many current actors engaging in criminal activities devoid of any genuine ideological commitment.
