Boko Haram’s new leader is son of executed founder, insider says

By Stephanie Busari, CNN
2 minute read
Published 5:02 PM EDT, Thu August 4, 2016
Under Operation "Lafiya Dole" -- meaning "peace by any means" in Hausa -- the Nigerian army is working under intense scrutiny to locate and return the stolen Chibok girls to their parents.
Under Operation "Lafiya Dole" -- meaning "peace by any means" in Hausa -- the Nigerian army is working under intense scrutiny to locate and return the stolen Chibok girls to their parents.
Adam Dobby/CNN
Boko Haram's violent footprint is evident across the vast expanse of Nigeria's northeast, where village after village has been left devastated by the group's fighters.
Boko Haram's violent footprint is evident across the vast expanse of Nigeria's northeast, where village after village has been left devastated by the group's fighters.
Adam Dobby/CNN
What Boko Haram couldn't loot, it burned to the ground. To this day, people remain afraid to return home.
What Boko Haram couldn't loot, it burned to the ground. To this day, people remain afraid to return home.
Adam Dobby/CNN
Frequent attacks from Islamic insurgents have prompted residents to flee their villages and head to Maidugiri where it is, to an extent, safer.
Frequent attacks from Islamic insurgents have prompted residents to flee their villages and head to Maidugiri where it is, to an extent, safer.
Adam Dobby/CNN
The city of Maidugiri is at the heart of the military's campaign. Something of a safe haven for many fleeing Boko Haram, it has become an oasis in northeastern Nigeria, where around 2.5 million displaced people now reside.
The city of Maidugiri is at the heart of the military's campaign. Something of a safe haven for many fleeing Boko Haram, it has become an oasis in northeastern Nigeria, where around 2.5 million displaced people now reside.
Adam Dobby/CNN
The region's soft sand is ideal for hiding improvised explosive devices, or IEDs. This means the military must travel in heavily armored convoys with mine-proof trucks providing protection from the front.
The region's soft sand is ideal for hiding improvised explosive devices, or IEDs. This means the military must travel in heavily armored convoys with mine-proof trucks providing protection from the front.
Adam Dobby/CNN
Empty ammunition cases litter the ground, untouched since they flew from the machine guns used in a skirmish between the Nigerian army and Boko Haram fighters.
Empty ammunition cases litter the ground, untouched since they flew from the machine guns used in a skirmish between the Nigerian army and Boko Haram fighters.
Adam Dobby/CNN
The operation's "theater commander" Maj. Gen. Leo Irabor tells CNN that while he is proud of his men's achievements in pushing back Boko Haram, they are in need of more international support to quash the insurgents.
The operation's "theater commander" Maj. Gen. Leo Irabor tells CNN that while he is proud of his men's achievements in pushing back Boko Haram, they are in need of more international support to quash the insurgents.
Adam Dobby/CNN
A vehicle full of troops scans the horizon scouting for any indication of insurgent presence.
A vehicle full of troops scans the horizon scouting for any indication of insurgent presence.
Adam Dobby/CNN
The terrain in the northeast is unforgiving and troops face dehydration in the blistering heat while on patrol.
The terrain in the northeast is unforgiving and troops face dehydration in the blistering heat while on patrol.
Adam Dobby/CNN
Penetrating Boko Haram's stronghold: The Sambisa Forest

Story highlights

Mohammed Yusuf launched the Boko Haram terror group in 2002

He was captured after a clash with Nigerian security forces in 2009 and executed

Abu Musab al-Barnawi is now said to be in charge of group known for abducting schoolgirls

Lagos, Nigeria CNN  — 

The new leader of Boko Haram is the son of the group’s founder, according to a Boko Haram insider.

Abu Musab al-Barnawi is about 25 years old and the second son of Mohammed Yusuf, who founded the group in 2002, the source told CNN. Mohammed Yusuf was captured and executed after a clash with Nigerian security forces in 2009.

The insider said there was a split in the ranks of the Boko Haram terror group three months ago, which led to Barnawi, known as Habib Yusuf within the group, to leave the Sambisa forest where Boko Haram are believed to be hiding out.

He re-emerged this week after he was introduced as the new leader of the terrorist sect in an interview in the ISIS’ magazine al-Naba. Boko Haram has long had links with ISIS, pledging allegiance to the group in March.

READ: Boko Haram’s new leader promises to protect Muslims

Even though Barnawi is now supposedly the leader of Boko Haram, the source told CNN that the group’s long-time leader Abubakar Shekau still has the larger number of followers in the Sambisa forest and crucially has control of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls. The schoolgirls are seen as a powerful bargaining chip for the terrorist group, whose base has been significantly weakened.

READ: A glimpse of the stolen – video shows Chibok girls

Western intelligence sources close to negotiations believe, however, that the defection of manpower and erosion of support leaves Shekau more exposed and could possibly lead to a breakthrough in the search for the abducted girls.

The Boko Haram source told CNN that Barnawi was Boko Haram’s head of armory before he fell out with Shekau and left with some followers. The source said: “Shekau is seen as erratic and disorganized and Habib didn’t agree with a lot of his decisions anymore.”

It's been three years since the "Chibok girls" were stolen from their families. For the first time, we see some of the girls alive in a video obtained by CNN. This is who they are.
It's been three years since the "Chibok girls" were stolen from their families. For the first time, we see some of the girls alive in a video obtained by CNN. This is who they are.
from boko haram negotiations video
Muwa Daniel
Muwa Daniel
from boko haram negotiations video
Juliana Yakubu
Juliana Yakubu
from boko haram negotiations video
Ramati Yaga
Ramati Yaga
from boko haram negotiations video
Naomi Yaga
Naomi Yaga
from boko haram negotiations video
Saratu Ayuba
Saratu Ayuba
from boko haram negotiations video
Naomi Zakaria
Naomi Zakaria
from boko haram negotiations video
Jummai Mutah
Jummai Mutah
from boko haram negotiations video
Falmata Musa
Falmata Musa
from boko haram negotiations video
Martha James
Martha James
from boko haram negotiations video
Maraima Yahaya
Maraima Yahaya
from boko haram negotiations video
Naomi Yahona
Naomi Yahona
from boko haram negotiations video
Kwazuku Haman
Kwazuku Haman
from boko haram negotiations video
Rifkatu Umar
Rifkatu Umar
from boko haram negotiations video
Hauwa Ishaya
Hauwa Ishaya
from boko haram negotiations video
Ruth Amos
Ruth Amos
from boko haram negotiations video
A glimpse at the Chibok girls

According to the source, Barnawi left the base in the Sambisa with another Boko Haram commander, Mamman Nur, who is suspected by Nigerian authorities of carrying out the 2011 bombing of the UN building in the country’s capital, Abuja.

In 2011, Barnawi’s mother and elder brother were killed in a bombing in Kano, the source said.

Adding to the confusion, Abubakar Shekau broke his silence Wednesday. He challenged the new leadership announcement in a 10-minute audio message posted on YouTube to let everyone know he was “still around.”

CNN’s Nima Elbagir contributed to this report.