Sheikh Abu Musab al-Barnawi has just become the head of the world’s most violent terrorist cell, Boko Haram, and in an interview with a Daesh publication, al-Barnawi promised to protect Muslims. Regardless of whether al-Barnawi promised to protect Muslims, Christians, Atheists, or even to Smurfs, it is still a strange promise to make; according to the latest figures available, Boko Haram has slaughtered a staggering 6,644 people which is the most of any terrorist group over the last calendar year (as well as a disheartening increase of over 300% in people killed according to the Global Terrorism Index) which may surprise western observers who would be inclined to believe that Daesh led the pack of criminals slaughtering innocents. Al-Barnawi made this protection remark while addressing the spate of terrorist attacks on Muslims including two attacks in Kano and Yola in which children were used as suicide bombers. On the issue of welfare of Nigerian citizens al-Barnawi said next to nothing, neither addressing the enslavement of women, the prevention of relief efforts trying to reach areas where the criminals control, or the use of children in suicide missions.
The previous head of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, was not addressed either, and it remains unknown whether he is still alive after a reign at the head of Boko Haram beginning in the late 2000s (that left millions of people displaced in Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon, as well as thousands of casualties). Regardless of whether the head of the group is named Shekau or al-Barnawi it is hopeful that continued efforts by the Nigerian military or other governments will eliminate this scourge from West Africa in the name of counter-terrorism and human dignity.
