Boko Haram Leader Is Dead (This time quite certain).

 He has been reported killed FOUR times before. But this time it is more certain. This is from Punch:

• Abubakar Shekau bloodthirsty leader of terrorist Boko Haram is dead
• incident took place Wednesday evening 
• attack on Boko Haram by Islamic State West Africa Province fighters (ISWAP)
• ISWAP broke away from Shekau in 2016 pledged allegiance to Islamic State
• attacked Shekau's hideout using multiple gun trucks
• Shekau tracked down by ISWAP forces in Timbuktu Triangle
• His fighters, bodyguards were killed, long gunfire exchange 
• Shekau surrendered and engaged in hours-long meeting with ISWAP 
• Shekau who had suicide vest blew himself up 
• with everyone present during negotiations
• Shekau leader of Boko Haram since 2009 following death of founder Yusuf

My comments : Ok tuan-tuan these fellows are not Islamic warriors or defending agama, bangsa dan negara. There is no such thing.

These are criminals who are after money and power. Or power and money. All over the world whether Boko Haram, Abu Sayyaf, those pirates in Somalia, the Taliban in Afghanistan, the Hezbollah in Lebanon and even the recent fireworks rockets shooters  are all in it for the money and power. 

They do not really care for their people. 

The Boko Haram's "jihad" included stealing cows - hundreds of cows at a time and of course kidnapping. Both were (or are) done for money. This is a business model that works.  The stolen cows are sold or often returned to the villagers after payment of 'cow ransom'.  (How is the Boko Haram going to take care of say 200 or 300 cows when they are being hunted by the army and the air force of four different countries?)

The same with kidnapping boys and girls. However some of the girls were not returned.

Now the Boko Haram has been beaten by the ISIS whackos (Islamic State of West Africa Provinces or ISWAP).  Mark my words the ISWAP fellows will now take over the same business - stealing cows and kidnapping girls and boys.  It is a lucrative income for them.

In the Philippines the Abu Sayyaf discovered long ago that kidnapping people (especially Malaysians and foreign tourists) can bring in a lucrative income.  Jihad? The Abu Sayyaf fellows will not even know how to pray or recite the Quran.   

The Taliban also needs money. They have no industry, no tourism, no factories. What they have is opium. Afghanistan is the world's largest grower and largest supplier of opium. The global supply chain for opium includes Toyota Pick Ups, armed guards, weapons, chemicals and air transport (American?).  This is the big business in Afghanistan and the Taliban is in charge.  Mark my words - after the Taliban fully takes over Afghanistan (in a few more weeks) the opium production from Afghanistan will increase even more. 

The Shia Hezbollah in Lebanon also needs money. They have no strategic objectives. They are funded by Iran. They exist because Iran gives them money. They have no other reason to exist anymore. They never had.

So it is all about money. Dont get fooled.

The views expressed are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.