Boko Haram: I’m alive, I was never wounded, Shekau speaks in new video

Abubakar Shekau, leader of Nigerian Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram, has debunked claims by Nigerian Airforce that he was injured in a recent air strike on the sect.

Recall that the Nigerian Air Force on Wednesday, May 3, said two of its fighter jets had bombarded Boko Haram fighters and injured Shekau while observing prayers in Balla village, some 40 kilometres from Damboa, Borno state last Friday, April 28.

 

But in a 14-minute video released on Thursday, May 4, Shekau has claimed that he was neither attacked not injured in any air strike, Sahara Reporters reports.

He said: “As I speak, today is Thursday 7th Sha’aban (4th May) around Zuhr prayer. You claimed your jets struck at our gathering while we were praying, killed some of us and injured me near Damboa. I don’t even know the town you mentioned.

“Gather all the photojournalists, the camera men and pressmen you have, let them assess this video to determine if I was wounded.

“But we are not worried. We are making this video to dispel your propaganda. Deceitful people end in shame.

“Earlier you claimed I was in Sambisa, now you said I was near Damboa road. You will never know my location. Allah kept out of sight because I believe in him and doing his biddings.

“Be patient, once my time on earth ends, I will die. Nothing will happen to me.”

 

He added: “To Buhari, Buratai and lawmakers you are shouldering a burden beyond your capacity. Your imagination (on our capacity) is more incredible than the tale of a hawk that lifts an elephant.

“So I’m alive. But if God wills that you will kill me, it is not surprising because many prophets of Allah were killed by infidels. I will be happy to die in the cause of Allah.

“Shekau is alive, Shekau is alive. I have not started killing in the name of religion yet. I will start in future.”