[1] After Yusuf's death and the rise of his successor Abubakar Shekau,[5] Bakura fought for Boko Haram in the escalating rural insurgency.
Even though he lacked a background in religious Islamic studies, he started to climb in Boko Haram's ranks due to his skill as a battlefield officer.
[4] After the rebel group's division, Bakura led his troops to the northern shores of Lake Chad, an area which became the center of his operations.
[6] The Boko Haram forces at Lake Chad subsequently became internationally known as the "Bakura faction";[7] most of his troops were reportedly Buduma people.
[4] His unit took part in the Chad Basin campaign (2018–2020), and was possibly responsible for attacks on Bama, Banki, Ngom, Tungunshe, and Maiduguri.
Disagreeing with this approach as well as seeking more power, Bakura murdered Sahalaba in March 2022 and took over the imamate (command) of Boko Haram.
[3][12] Furthermore, his group largely removed itself from the "global jihadist movement", with Bakura focusing on local warfare instead of propaganda or international networks.