Nigerian authorities believed that Shekau was killed in 2009 during clashes between security forces and Boko Haram until July 2010, when Shekau appeared in a video claiming leadership of the group.
Nigerianske myndigheder troede først at Shekau blev dræbt i 2009 under stridigheder mellem nigerianske sikkerhedsstyrker og militante i Boko Haram, men i juli 2010 dukkede Shekau op i en video hvor han overtog lederskabet i gruppen.