LAGOS, Nigeria: The Islamic State group's newspaper has identified a new leader of the group's West Africa Province, popularly known as Nigeria's Boko extremists, and says he is threatening to bomb churches and kill Christians while stopping attacks on mosques and ordinary Muslims.
The Arabic-language al-Nabaa on Wednesday identified Abu Musab al-Barnawi as the new "Wali," a title previously used to describe long-time leader Abubakar Shekau.
The report does not say what Shekau's current status was.
A translation by SITE Intelligence Group says the new leader is accusing charities of using refugee aid as part of a Western plot to Christianize the region.
Analyst Jacob Zenn says the announcement indicates a coup by breakaway group Ansaru, which broke away from Boko Haram because of its indiscriminate killings of Muslims.