(Lagos, 26/09/2014) The Muslim Public Affairs Centre today called the reported killing of Abubakar Shekau double, Mohammed Bashir, a watershed and an important development in counter-terrorism.  On Wednesday, 24 September 2014, the Nigerian military defence spokesperson, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, announced the killing of the leader of the cultist group during an exchange that also claimed the lives of about 135 other cultist members.

Abubakar Shekau and his lieutenants were responsible for the gruesome killing of thousands of innocent Nigerians and the seizure of hundreds of school girls from a boarding school in the north-eastern Borno state on the night of 14th/15th April 2014. More than 200 of these girls are still in captivity. Mohammed Bashir’s reported death therefore is an elimination of a national symbol of terrorism. While this development is a commendable achievement by the Nigerian military and other actors, capturing the leaders of the death cult alive and bringing them before an international court of justice may have allowed Nigerian forces to gain valuable information on the extent of the Boko Haram infrastructure, its sponsors and supporters.

The members of Boko Haram killed chose a path of destruction founded on violent ideology and distorted interpretation of Islam which ultimately led to their own destruction. MPAC praises the sacrifice and courage of our armed services and the success of the Federal Government in unleashing this deadly blow against the terrorist group. This achievement is a major milestone and a triumph of good over evil. We use this occasion to renew our call to the Federal Government to do everything in its power to bring our girls back home safely, reunite them with their families and friends and end the enduring trauma that the nation has been subjected to.

MPAC calls on all Nigerian citizens to be vigilant in anticipation of any potential retaliation from Boko Haram in response to the death of its leader(s), and fully cooperate with the Nigerian forces executing counter-terrorism operations to finally defeat terrorism. MPAC urges the Nigerian forces to be aware that its execution of military and intelligence operations impact on our nation’s credibility if these result in harassment, witch-hunting or death of innocent citizens.

We pray that the death of Mohammed Bashir, alias Abubakar Shekau, puts an end to a dark chapter in the history of Nigeria while heralding a new era for the establishment of a pious, peaceful, free and prosperous society where all lives are valued equally and the sanctity of all human lives is respected.