Nigerian Army reacts to Shekau’s new video, says he’s mad

Col-Sani-Kukasheka-Usman

The Nigerian military has reacted to the new video footage released by the Boko Haram on Sunday where Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the group, declared that he’s alive and in good health.

The military had last month claimed that Shekau was fatally injured in the shoulder in an air strike by the Nigeria Airforce in Sambisa forest during which many Boko Haram commanders were killed.

In its reaction to the new Boko Haram video, Nigerian Army spokesman, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, described Shekau as mentally sick and unstable. He urged members of the public to ignore him as the group’s ability to fight has been degraded.

Read Usman’s statement below:

”The purported leader of the group in his usual insane manner made all sorts of assertions to the point of threatening various towns, groups and individuals. He also tried albeit failingly to deny the air raid by the Nigerian Air Force in which he was wounded.

”The video has shown beyond all reasonable doubt the earlier suspicion that the purported factional terrorists group leader is mentally sick and unstable. The ranting is also another sign that the end is near for him which is part of the signs of all wicked people.

“The Nigerian Army wishes to assure the public that they should not be bothered by the contents of the video clip. This is because the facts on the ground speak for themselves. It is public knowledge that the military has been making concerted efforts to clear the remnants of the terrorists and rescue all persons held hostage by them especially the abducted Chibok Secondary School girls.

“This is a task that will be accomplished, no matter how long it takes. We are determined in this regards. Already thousands of persons have been rescued by troops from the terrorists.

“The video has further shown that he (Shekau) has derailed and no longer believes and practices the Islam he professes to follow; as he was absent at the last Eid prayers video. It is equally reported that he could not even lead prayers; the public should not be fooled by this individual.

“No nation or society would believe him or any Boko Haram terrorist based on antecedent and as he has shown over time to be irrational and therefore unreliable especially when it comes to negotiations on the release of the abducted girls. Therefore he must release them (Chibok girls) unconditionally.

“We want to assure Nigerians especially the residents of Maiduguri, Kano, Kaduna and Zaria not to panic as we have more than what it takes to defend them and deal decisively with the remnants of the terrorists group.

“We would like to reiterate that Boko Haram terrorism as it was known, is gone for good. We are just counting down to the day when all the few remnants will be totally wiped out or brought to justice.

“However, a window still exists for the repentant ones among them to lay down their arms and surrender to justice.”