Nigerian military dismisses Shekau’s claim, insists he’s dead

 

Nigerian military Thursday dismissed a new video purportedly released by “Abubakar Shekau” wherein he tried to debunk his killing during a battle in Konduga on September 17, insisting ‘for the umpteenth time that Shekau’ is dead.
Shekau, who appeared in a new video obtained by a foreign media had said, “Here I am, alive.
“I will only die the day Allah takes my breath,” Shekau said, adding that his group was “running our… Islamic Caliphate” and administering strict Sharia punishments.
But reacting, military authorities insist that Bashir Mohammed alias Abubakar Shekau was actually eliminated as corroborated by still photographs, video evidence and surrendering and captured terrorists.
Defence Headqurters said the conviction that Shekau is dead, was anchored on glaring evidences shown in still and video photographs coupled with oral testimonies of surrendering and captured terrorists.
The military is however baffled that some media outfits still help in the spread of propaganda that Bashir Mohammed alias Abubakar Shekau is still alive.
Meanwhile, Defence Headquarters said the video is being studied but urged Nigerians to continue to have confidence in the ability of their military to contain terrorism in parts of the country but keep strict vigilance on their environment so as to report suspicious activities to appropriate authorities.
The reaction of Defence Headquarters titled “The Purported Shekau Video in Circulation” reads:
“The Defence Headquarters is studying the claims made in the video purportedly released by the terrorists showing their leader Abubakar Shekau as dismissing his death.
“From immediate observation and what some online news outlets claimed to have seen, the video did not indicate when it was shot neither did it show any proof of life or currency such as screen time or date.
“The video also did not make any reference to anything that has happened since the impostor’s reported death.
“It is also noteworthy that the air plane said to be mentioned in the video had been missing before he was killed. It should not surprise anybody if the terrorists decide to manipulate pictures, clone another Shekau or upload a pre-recorded video all in a bid to prove invincible.
“As far as we are concerned, the individual who was appearing in video and claiming to be the leader of the terrorist group was killed in the Kondunga battle in September. The resemblance of the corpse and that of the eccentric character was incontrovertible. His identity was equally corroborated by people who knew him before we announced his death.”
While still conducting thorough investigation into the new claims in the purported video, the military promised that justice will be served to whoever bears that name or designation and whoever engages in act.
theeagleonline