Boko Haram’s Shekau makes Surprise Entry into TIME 100 with Buhari, Ezekwesili, Chimamanda Adichie
TIME magazine has released its annual list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2015 and the leader of the dreaded Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, made the list alongside the President-Elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and former minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili.
The profile of the Terrorist sect’s infamous leader, written by General Carter Ham, a retired U.S. Soldier, read: “Most Americans do not yet recognize his name, but the citizens of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, know Abubakar Shekau all too well: he is the most violent killer their country has ever seen. Shekau took over the terrorist organization Boko Haram in 2009 after the group had been weakened by Nigerian government forces.
“Shekau, who is believed to be in his 30s, began to stage increasingly daring kidnapping and killing raids on schools, churches and mosques thought by Boko Haram to be violating their interpretation of Islam.
Also noting the sect’s allegiance to ISIS, he continued: “The taking of over 200 schoolgirls in April 2014 brought Boko Haram into the international spotlight.”
The Gen. Buhari’s tribute, tagged ‘A New Choice for Nigeria’, the Time’s Africa bureau chief, Aryn Baker, applauded the All Progressives Congress candidate for being the first ever to upset an incumbent president through democratic process.
Adichie and Ezekwesili were also commended for the respective roles they have played in the development of the country.