Africas well know extremist group Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekhau made TIME Magazine‘s “100 Most Influential People List.” 2015. Every year, TIME Magazine releases list of a select individuals who are waxing strong within their respective fields. It is shocking to see Abubakar Shekhau’s name among the list. Most people thought such list only featured people who are making positive change in the world.
Here is what the U.S Army General, Carter Ham who wrote the article have to say about the popular Boko Haram leader who killed 1000s in the last few years.
“Most Americans do not yet recognize his name, but the citizens of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, know Abubakar Shekau all too well: he is the most violent killer their country has ever seen. Shekau took over the terrorist organization Boko Haram in 2009 after the group had been weakened by Nigerian government forces.
Shekau, who is believed to be in his 30s, began to stage increasingly daring kidnapping and killing raids on schools, churches and mosques thought by Boko Haram to be violating their interpretation of Islam. The taking of over 200 schoolgirls in April 2014 brought Boko Haram into the international spotlight.
By most accounts, Boko Haram has killed more than 10,000 people and is spreading into neighbouring countries. Shekau’s latest action may finally summon a U.S. response: he has publicly aligned his group with ISIS, the terrorist group that holds territory in Syria and Iraq and has expanded its reach into Yemen and Libya”.
So there you have it. This article indicates that to make it in TIMES Most influential people list, both negative and positive contributions are valid. Thus most people are in it not necessary for their good and positive work.
Check out more who made it to the list Here
Written by: Noellin Imoh
Source: TIME
