A new video released today claims that Abubakar Shekau, the acclaimed Boko Haram leader, is alive and active.
The video contradicts claims by military authorities of Nigeria and Cameroon that Shekau, leader of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad, was killed on a battlefront two weeks ago.
It is not clear when the footages were recorded but the man that appeared in the 36-minute video had all the features of the Shekau that have been seen in most of the previous videos released by the sect, including looks, beard, pattern of dressing and speaking amongst others.
“I hereby put to lie the claim that I was killed,” Shekau said, amidst thunderous shout of Allahu Akbar “Allah is great” from his well armed lieutenants.
Shekau boastfully said, “I challenge you, I challenge you. You even said I was killed. If you kill me, does that mean you kill (the) religion? You are not honest. You have no proof, you have nothing to say. Here I’m, alive. I will only die the day Allah takes my breath.”
His fighters shot down the Alpha Jet (NAF 466) belonging to the Nigerian Air Force which was reported missing by the Defence Headquarters, Shekau claimed in the video.
The aircraft, with two pilots onboard, reportedly left Yola at about 10:45am on 12th September 2014 on a routine operational mission but did not return.
One of the pilots was shown in the latest video stating that their aircraft was brought down by “fighters of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnah.”
The latest video could not be independently verified and there is no immediate response on its content from Nigerian authorities.
Ruins
Ruins of an aircraft bearing the insignia of the Nigerian Air Force was shown in the video.
The pilot, who said he does not know the whereabouts of his colleague, was thereafter decapitated with an axe by an executioner dressed in military fatigues.
In the video, Shekau said he had gone far in ensuring that Sharia Law was strictly observed in his “Islamic Caliphate” and showed footages in which a man “convicted of adultery” was stoned to death.
The right hand of another man accused of “stealing” was chopped off while an unmarried young man and a young lady “convicted of fornication” were given 100 lashes each.
