Abubakar Shekau (1973-2021) passed away on Thursday, 2021-05-20 00:00:00 UTC, at the age of 48. Shekau was a Nigerian Islamist militant and leader of Boko Haram. He led Boko Haram in the early 2000s and was known as one of the deadliest terrorist leaders in the world. After a decade of leading the group, Shekau presided over its rise in power and influence, and was considered one of the greatest threats to security and stability in West Africa. Shekau's violent tactics, including the use of suicide bombing and kidnapping, earned him the nickname "the most dreaded terrorist in the world" by the Nigerian government. He claimed responsibility for multiple attacks on schools, religious establishments, and government buildings that resulted in the death of thousands. Shekau will be remembered for his leadership of a terrorist group that caused untold violence. He leaves behind a legacy of fear and destabilization in the region that continues to this day.