Falmata Abubakar, mother of Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, has said she is yet to set her eyes on her son in 15 years in her first interview on how her son became a terrorist.
Speaking with the Hausa Service of the Voice of America, VOA, in the village of Shekau, Yobe State, Fatima recounted how her son left home to seek Islamic knowledge in Maiduguri.
According to her, Mr Shekau’s late father was the Imam of the village Mosque before his death.
She said it was in the course of seeking Islamic knowledge that her son came into contact with the founder of Boko Haram, Mohammed Yusuf, adding that it was the late Boko Haram leader who indoctrinated her son.
Mr Shekau took over the leadership of Boko haram after Yusuf died in police custody and is accused of being responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of people in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger.
When asked on location of her son, Abubakar, Fatima said she had no idea where her son was or his situation.
“I don’t know whether he is dead or alive, only God knows, I have not seen him in the last 15 years.
“I did not set my eyes on him since he came into contact with Mohammed Yusuf.
“I know he is my son, and everyone knows a mother’s love for her son, but our attitude to life is different.
“He has put so many people in serious difficulty, I pray that God guides him right.
“I will not curse my son, he has chosen a path different from the one we put him on, only God knows what he has become now”.
The Boko Haram leader is on top of Nigerian government’s list of most wanted terrorists. The United States government is also interested in his capture.
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