Abu Qaqa

Abu Qaqa or Abu Kaka is an assumed name of the official spokesperson for the Nigerian rebel group Boko Haram. Described as the chief information officer and a key leader in the militant group, Qaqa was known for speaking to reporters explaining the motives of the group and taking credit for attacks. At various times the Nigerian government has claimed his capture or death, but this has been denied by Boko Haram.[1][2]

A man claiming to be Qaqa was detained by the Nigerian government in late January or early February 2012, but confirming his real identity proved to be a challenge since Abu Qaqa is an assumed name. Some reports call the detention a defection.[3] After the arrest, another man introduced himself to reporters as the "real" Abu Qaqa, but the press now calls Abu Qaqa II.[4] At least one additional Abu Qaqa's later emerged, sometimes referred to as Abu Qaqa III.[5][4][6][7]

Notably, speaking by phone to reporters in November 2012, one of the new Abu Qaqas said "We are together with al Qaeda, they are promoting the cause of Islam, just as we are doing. Therefore they help us in our struggle and we help them, too." [8]

The name has also been picked up by unrelated individuals online. A Manchester Twitter user using the handle Abu Qaqa voiced his approval of ISIL beheadings in Syria in 2014.[9] Several blogs use the Abu Qaqa name to promote Islamic extremist views.

See also

References
  1. "Boko Haram Claims 'Abu Qaqa' Still Alive; Sect Plans To Attack Wives Of Nigerian Officials". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  2. "BBC News – Boko Haram: Nigerian military 'kills top militant'". BBC News. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  3. "Nigeria arrests 'Boko Haram spokesman'". aljazeera.com. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  4. Our Reporter. "Shekau's henchmen: The deadly commanders". sunnewsonline.com. Archived from the original on 19 January 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  5. "Boko Haram and the many faces of Abubakar Shekau – By Jacob Zenn – African Arguments". africanarguments.org. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  6. "Shekau impostor – Africa – News and Analysis". africajournalismtheworld.com. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  7. "African Center for Conflict Transformation » Boko Haram and the many faces of Abubakar Shekau – African Arguments". acctinc.org. Archived from the original on 2015-01-19. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  8. "Special Report: Boko Haram – between rebellion and jihad". Reuters. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  9. "Jihadi John and his fellow Isis fighters from the UK are flippant, fanatical... and distinctly British". The Independent. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
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