Elusive Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau appeared in a video on Thursday to dispute a claim that the jihadist group had been driven from its Sambisa Forest stronghold. "We are safe. We have not been flushed out of anywhere. And tactics and strategies cannot reveal our location except if Allah wills by his decree," Shekau said in the 25-minute video, flanked by masked gunmen. "You should not be telling lies to the people," he said, referring to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, who said on Christmas Eve the extremist group was defeated and driven from the forest bastion. "If you indeed crushed us, how can you see me like this? How many times have you killed us in your bogus death?" It was not clear where the new video was shot. Shekau, who spoke in both Hausa and Arabic, said it was filmed on Christmas Day. He last appeared in a video in September to dispute a Nigerian army claim that he had been wounded in battle. He vowed to fight until an Islamic state was imposed in northern ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.