Shekau’s ‘death:’ We won’t pay ISWAP $7m bounty, says US

The United States (US) has made it clear that the $7million bounty placed on Abubakar Shekau, leader of the Boko Haram sect, would not be given to the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Shekau was reported to have killed him during an attack by rival ISWAP, which is affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS).

In a tweet by its State Department Rewards for Justice Program, the US stated: “News reports indicate that Boko Haram terrorist, Abubakar Shekau, blew himself up in a

“Hey, ISIS guys. To clarify: no– you are not eligible for the reward for information on his identity or location. That’s not how the program works.”

The US Department of State had on June 21, 2012, under Executive Order 13224, placed a $7million bounty on Shekau’s head, calling him a “specially designated global terrorist.”

On Thursday, reports emerged that Shekau was fatally injured, after attempting to kill himself to avoid being captured by rival IS-allied fighters.

But there were also reports that he died by blowing up himself with a suicide vest.

The Nigerian Army said that it was probing the reports.