The Nigerian Army, yesterday, disclosed that credible information from repentant Boko Haram terrorists, indicated that their factional leader, Abubakar Shekau dons female attire to escape the theater of war. Spokesman of the Army, Brigadier-General Sani Usman, said in a statement that Shekau has abandoned his followers, and running for his dear life.
He said: “He is desperately trying to escape the theatre disguised as a woman dressed in Hijab.”We reliably gathered that to avoid detection, Abubakar Shekau alternates between blue and black coloured hijabs. He was last seen in a black hijab.
The concerted efforts of troops of Operation Lafiya Dole on the ongoing clearance of the Boko Haram terrorists, through Operation Deep Punch II has been yielding tremendous results.” Usman said troops have successfully cleared Boko Haram camps in Sambisa, and rescued civilians held hostages by the terrorists, as well as recovered arms, ammunition at the terrorists’ control centre in camp zero.
“While concerted efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the fugitive terrorist leader, we implore also members of the public, especially the residents of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states to be more vigilant, security conscious and be on the lookout for Abubakar Shekau and other terrorists that might disguise as women to escape,” he said.
‘Troops in disarray’
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari, has said the insurgency group is in disarray and its era “is gradually drawing to an end, with the narrowing of the recruitment base of the insurgents, and renewed onslaught by the Nigerian Army.”
Receiving the Letter of Credence of Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy Sea to Nigeria, Most Rev. Archbishop Antonio Guido Filipazzi, at the State House, the president said the terrorist group had lost appeal in its initial strongholds, necessitating a steady retreat that “will eventually culminate in ending the insurgency.”
He said: “You can’t indoctrinate people who are below the age of 14 years and blow up churches, mosques, markets and you keep shouting God is great.
“It is either you don’t know what you are saying, or you simply don’t care or believe what you are saying. It is part of our success story that Boko Haram is finding it more difficult to recruit people. “The Nigerian Army is also not making it easy for them to grow, with more intelligence, orientation and regular, measured onslaught on their camps.”
The President said the ongoing effort to dismember the terrorist group, and render it completely powerless “will be intensified.” The president, who described the Catholic Church as “a strong partner” in the development of Nigeria, said the church had made very significant contributions to the development of the educational and health system of the country. On corruption, the president said the fight against the culture of pilfering public funds would be prolonged, and would require a new orientation by repositioning the entire educational system.
“I am pleased that the African Union has spoken out boldly against corruption and appreciated the work that we are doing here.” In his remarks, Archbishop Filipazzi, said the Holy Father, Pope Francis, had taken a keen interest on the fight against terrorism, corruption and reviving the Nigerian economy. “Mr. President, the Holy Father, sends his warm greetings and he is keen to denounce corruption everywhere,” he said.
The Apostolic Nuncio said he had travelled to the North-east and was pleased with the efforts of the Nigerian Army in tackling the insurgents, and recovering some of the earlier lost grounds. The president also received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of Niger to Nigeria, Mr. Alat Mogaskia, and the High Commissioner of Ghana, Alhaji Rashid Bawa.
