About 260 Boko Haram militants surrendered Thursday to Nigerian authorities, following the reported death of their leader.
The Nigerian Defense Ministry said the surrenders came after it announced Wednesday the death of Mohammed Bashir, who poses in Boko Haram videos and other propaganda as leader Abubakar Shekau, in an attack.
A Ministry spokesman said Wednesday: "In the course of those encounters, one Mohammed Bashir, who has been acting or posing on videos as the deceased Abubakar Shekau, the eccentric character known as leader of the group, died. Since the name Shekau has become a brand name for the terrorists' leader, the Nigerian military remains resolute to serve justice to anyone who assumes that designation or title."
After the announcement, 135 Boko Haram militants surrendered in Biu, the group's base in Nigeria, and about 133 others in other parts of the country did the same.
At the United Nations general assembly, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan requested help in stopping the militants' advance, saying, "Evidence has shown that Boko Haram is sourced largely from outside our country. Only by united action and firm resolve can we check this urgent threat to humanity and also build the enduring structures that will resist their re-emergence."
By Ed Adamczyk
