Shekau mentally ill — Army

Nigerians should not lose sleep over the latest video and threats by Abubakar Shekau,  a factional leader of the Boko Haram terrorist group, the Nigerian military said today, adding that the man is deranged.

Colonel Sani usman, the army spokesman dismissed the video as the latest ranting of the factional leader of the insurgent group, assuring that the Nigerian military is capable  of dealing with remnants of the terrorists.

“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 nobody should be bothered with the contents of the video clip.

“This is because the available fact on the development speaks for itself.

Usman recalled that Shekau, “in his usual act of boasting, made all sorts of claims to the point of threatening various towns, groups and individuals.”

In the video, Shekau  denied that he was killed or badly wounded, as claimed by the army in August.

The army spokesman said: “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”.

Usman noted that the purported factional leader of the terrorist also tried albeit failingly, to deny the air raid by the Nigerian Air Force in which he was wounded.

“This is because the available fact on the development speaks for itself.

“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,” Usman said.

He vowed that the task would be accomplished, no matter how long it would take, adding that the military was determined in that regard.

“Already, thousands of people have been rescued by our troops from the den of the terrorists.

“He has derailed and no longer believes and practises 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 his antecedents, having shown  to be unreliable, especially when it comes to negotiations on the release of the abducted girls.

“Therefore, he must release them unconditionally,” the army spokesman said.