General Irabor addressed at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday at a ministerial briefing organized by the presidential communications team.
“I can certify to you that Abu Musab is no longer alive. It’s that simple. “He is dead and will remain dead,” the CDS stated.
Al-Barnawi was the son of Mohammed Yusuf, the founder of Boko Haram, who was assassinated by security forces in 2009 after launching a war against the Nigerian government.
Gen Irabor did not give any details of the circumstances of Barnawi’s death, which was first reported in September.
The Islamic State West Africa Province (Iswap) has not commented on the claims.
Iswap has been seen as the strongest jihadist group in Nigeria since the death of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau earlier this year.
Since then, thousands of Boko Haram fighters have surrendered both to the military and reportedly to Iswap.
Freelanews is a potpourri of news, entertainment, business, events and photos. This is no fake news.