Boko Haram has refuted claims of the Nigerian military that the annihilation of the terrorist sect. In a video released yesterday, the leader of the sect, Abubakar Shekau said that they still had control of their stronghold in the Sambisa Forest and shamed the government for spreading lies.
“We are safe. We have not been flushed out of anywhere. And tactics and strategies cannot reveal our location except if Allah wills by his decree,” Shekau said in the 25-minute video.
“You should not be telling lies to the people,” he said, referring to Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, who in a Christmas Eve statement, announced that a military campaign had led to the “final crushing of Boko Haram terrorists in their last enclave in Sambisa Forest”.
“If you indeed crushed us, how can you see me like this?” the group’s leader asked, flanked by masked armed fighters. “How many times have you killed us in your bogus death? ”Your soldiers want a break, so they said they finished the job.”
In the footage, Shekau said that the video had been filmed on Christmas Day, but Nigerian army believes it is simply propaganda and a desperate effort by the group to prove it still holds power in the forest region.
Last year, Boko Haram pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group but was immediately dragged into a power struggle after the IS high command challenged the group’s current leadership. In August it was announced that Shekau had been replaced as leader by Abu Musab al-Barnawi, the 22-year-old son of Boko Haram’s founder Mohammed Yusuf.
Meanwhile, the army has affirmed its onslaught on the terrorists and assures that their defeat is on course, calling the video a mere propaganda.
He added that: “We would like to reassure the public that this video is nothing but mere terrorists propaganda aimed at creating fear in the mind of people and to remain relevant.”
“Therefore, there is no cause for alarm, more so as concerted effort in clearing the vestiges of Boko Haram terrorists wherever they might be hiding is still ongoing,” he stated.
Usman noted that troops deployed in various parts of the North-east have continued to intensify search for all persons associated with Boko Haram with a view to bring them to justice.
He enjoined the public to go about their normal lawful business, remain vigilant and security conscious and report any suspicious person or group of persons to security agencies.
