by Azeez Adeniyi

Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau has been injured in an air strike in the Northeast, AFP reports on Wednesday.

The news network said two Nigerian Air Force jets fired at fighters who had gathered for prayers in Balla village, on the edge of the Sambisa Forest, last Friday.

“Shekau was wounded in the bombings and is believed to be receiving treatment near the Nigerian border with Cameroon around Kolofata,” said one source with contacts within Boko Haram.

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“His deputy, Abba Mustapha, alias Malam Abba, was killed in the attack along with another key lieutenant, Abubakar Gashua, alias Abu Aisha,” he added.

A member of the civilian militia in Maiduguri, Babakura Kolo  said “Shekau was injured and a number of commanders were killed.

“Among them is his deputy called Malam Abba. They suffered heavy casualties because the bombings targeted a large gathering of his followers attending Friday prayers.”

Azeez