•We’re well-defended, says NAF
•Defence HQ, Army keep mum
By Adetutu Folasade-Koyi and Molly Kilete, Abuja
Days after the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, renewed an ultimatum to his men to either capture or kill Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, after a 40-day ultimatum failed, the insurgents have
issued fresh threats to attack the Nigerian military.
They also threatened to attack towns and cities as well.
Besides, Boko Haram, in an undated but fresh video, declared they celebrated Sallah in Sambisa, right after the 40-day ultimatum lapsed.
In July, Buratai ordered his men to capture Shekau within 40 days. The deadline passed without Shekau’s capture. The army chief simply made the ultimatum open-ended.
In the new video, Shuaibu Moni, one of the Boko Haram commanders, who was swapped with 82 Chibok girls released in May, taunted the military and issued threats on behalf of the sect.
“We have observed the Eid-el-Kabir prayers peacefully, with our brothers, wives and children in Sambisa, under the leadership of Abu-Muhammad -Ibn-Mahammad Abubakar Shekau.
“We thank Almighty Allah for sparing our lives, to witness this very wonderful day and good state of health. We want to tell the infidels of the world, infidels in Nigeria…and Buratai, who gave 40-day ultimatum, to kill our leader Abubakar Shekau that here, we are celebrating Sallah in Sambisa.
“I also want them to know that killing Shekau is not the end of us. With or without Shekau, Boko Haram will remain. They should know we worship God and Shekau is only leading us on the path of service to the Lord.
“They should know that just as they are giving orders to their military to invade our camps; we are also waiting for Shekau’s orders to invade their barracks, towns and cities at any giving time.
“I have said it before and you have seen what I have done. I am not making empty noise; I guess you know who is talking you; this is ‘Moni.’ You have seen what we did in the university and the city of Maiduguri and other places.
“We mean everything we are saying, and you should wait we are coming after you. We will never dialogue with the government.”
Attempts to get the Defence Headquarters’ Director of Information, Major General John Enenche and spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Col. Sani Usman were not successful. Calls to Enenche’s mobile line and Usman’s as well as text messages, were neither returned nor replied.
But, spokesman of the Nigeria Air Force, Air Commodore Adetokunbo Adesanya dismissed Boko Haram’s new threats.
He said: “NAF bases are well defended; NAF personnel are well-trained, equipped, motivated and committed to the defence of NAF bases and other assigned critical points.”
