The video marks the first public comments from Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau since the start of a sweeping offensive by the Nigerian army on May 15 and also includes a call for foreign Islamists to join the fight in Nigeria.
Shekau’s whereabouts cannot be determined in the video, in which he is shown seated while dressed in camouflage with a turban, an AK-47 at his side.
His comments contradict statements from the military, which has claimed major successes during the offensive, including the destruction of Boko Haram camps and dozens of arrests.
It has been impossible to verify the claims of either side independently, with the military having cut mobile phone service in much of the country’s northeast and access to remote locations restricted.
“Since we started this ongoing war which they call state of emergency … in some instances soldiers who faced us turned and ran,” Shekau said in the hour-long video.
He claimed Nigerian forces “threw down their arms in flight.”
He called on like-minded Islamists in countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq to join the fight to create an Islamic state in Nigeria.
“We call to us our brethren in these countries I mentioned. Oh! Our brethren, come to us,” he said in the video, which alternates between Arabic and the Hausa language spoken across northern Nigeria.
The video later purports to show vehicles and weapons seized from Nigerian soldiers.
Shekau, designated a global terrorist by the United States last year, repeats earlier statements that Boko Haram “will not stop the kidnap of your women and children until you set free our women and children, and our brethren.”
He also says Boko Haram’s goal is either the creation of an Islamic state or “martyrdom”.
The video was delivered to AFP though an intermediary in a manner similar to previous Boko Haram messages. The images of Shekau in the video are consistent with those previously released.
Nigeria launched the offensive against Boko Haram after President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in three states in the country’s northeast, the Islamist insurgents’ stronghold.
Several thousand troops were deployed and fighter jets hit alleged Boko Haram camps.
On May 20, the military said it had re-established control in five remote areas of the northeast where Islamist insurgents had seized territory.
It had also claimed the arrests of 120 suspected insurgents.
The military’s latest statement says 25 insurgents were arrested and three killed during operations at the weekend, including one identified as “Abba” included on a most-wanted list. One soldier was also killed, it said.
“Troops of the special forces have intercepted messages sent to fleeing insurgents urging them not to give up but fight to the end,” the statement said.
“The attempt by some of them to heed the call was foiled during the weekend as they were trailed to some settlements and towns towards the border where they plan to regroup.”
Last week, the military also said it had freed three women and six children abducted by Boko Haram.
Nigeria’s government has also pledged to release certain suspects held in connection with the insurgency as a peace gesture, including all women and children.
Boko Haram has waged its insurgency since 2009, with an estimated 3,600 people left dead, including killings by the security forces.
The group has pushed for the creation of an Islamic state in Africa’s most populous nation and largest oil producer, though its demands have repeatedly shifted.
It is believed to include various factions with differing aims.
Nigeria’s military has come under heavy criticism over its response to Boko Haram, including allegations of extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrests and unlawful detentions. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Lo ba tan. Who is fooling who now? May God deliver Nigeria.
ReplyDeletehahahaha...if shekau is winning, why cry out "oh brethren from afghanistan, iraq come to us"? shekau is only bragging... army don show dem shegie!
ReplyDelete. . . Well God is faithful, i feel Shekau is nw endowed with fear that the Army would finish them if Internatnal Islamist do nt join them. Kudos 2 d Nigerian Army bt Shame 2 d Nigerian Govt.
ReplyDeleteLol @ legacy, Very true, BH have retreated, and he is actually begging for Help.
ReplyDeleteA cry for help,if at all you animals are winning why not tell your foreign animals that you are handling the Nigerian army very well rather than crying for them to come and rescue you idots.
ReplyDeleteAninal shekau must talk true by force. Boko rams are coming to an end, thank you Jesus!
ReplyDeleteThey must be finished.
ReplyDeleteshekau is a fool who thinks nigerians are stupid like his followers with toilet brains. why call for help if u are winning. Straight to hell boko rams!
ReplyDeleteShekau , the way u appear shows that u are not human but animal, no corect eye to see, no straight face , twisted mouth ,half beast u cannot create the so call Islamic states in Nigeria and the people that God deposited the oil ur brothers are enjoying today are Christian not Muslems. If u think ur religion can feed u better lets separate-Animal and Fool. The people who are supporting u will soon be extinct and BH will die completely including U in this country & the world.-Half Human half Beast ur number is 666.
ReplyDeletethe prophet of Allah peace and blessed be upon him said the fire doesnt not touch feet covered in doest in the cause of Allah boko haram i wishing yous All the best may Almagty Allah help yous to continue killing and smash All this demonicall follower christianity the a only wosted ther time for worship idiol muslim is the only way to salvation (boko haram jihad) in the name of supremancy God wil help u more than before may God thunder fire christian and ther followers
ReplyDeleteYou are a fool.... Take it from me,our God can fight for him self,not lyk de handicap mohammed u r fighting for,rubbish religion called islam.....
DeleteBy the special grace of GOD, Boko Haram empire will collapse, they will all be wipe away soonest from GOD's own country Nigeria in JESUS' NAME.
ReplyDeleteTHE LORD IS GOOD.
ReplyDeleteLet separate. the major ethnic should go separately
ReplyDeleteShekarau you are a brainless ignoramous.
ReplyDeleteLet them gather together from all over d world,there sword shall devour them. The advaseries of d lord shall b broken to peices,sudenly shall BH b destryed n dat witout remedy. I prophecisy by d spirit of the lord dat d founders, sponsors,originators and suporters of BH shal soon devoured by d sword of BH in the name of Jesus Christ of Nasarrete. Amen
ReplyDeletesheakau an islam is stupid, bloodshed religiouns.
ReplyDeleteSHEUA YOU A BIG FOOL. GO TO HELL WITH YOUR WICKED ACTS. YOU DESERVE IT!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete