Shekau was previously the group's second-in-command.
In July 2010, Shekau publicly claimed leadership of Boko Haram
and threatened to attack Western interests in Nigeria.
On June 21, 2012,
the U.S. Department of State designated Shekau a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224.
Abubakar Shekau, the group's leader, threatened to"sell" the students, saying they should not
have been in school in the first place, but should get married.
In a video message released three weeks later, Shekau claimed responsibility for the kidnappings,
calling the girls slaves and threatening to sell them in the market.
Boko Haram's leader, Abubakar Shekau, threatened to"sell" the students, saying they should not have
been in school in the first place, but rather should get married.
Boko Haram's leader, Abubakar Shekau, has threatened to"sell" the girls, saying they should not
have been in school in the first place, but rather should get married.