Abducted policewomen have become our slaves, Shekau boasts in new video

Abubakar Shekau, leader of the Boko Haram sect, has released a video showing the police officers who were abducted in Borno state last week.

In the 17 minutes video, the militant leader said the abducted women have become slaves of the group.

Female police officers were kidnapped after Boko Haram fighters attacked a convoy of security personnel in the Damboa area of Borno last week.

The officers were going to a burial in Adamawa state when the unfortunate incident happened.

In the video, Shekau criticised the military for saying Boko Haram has been defeated.

“I want to tell you that we were the ones who that attacked the convoy, here are the vehicles for all to witness, we are the ones that abducted the female police officers, in fact, they are senior female police officers,” he said.

“What we did is nothing when compared to our women, children, and friends that have been wiped out or arrested for many years by the Nigerian government. We only abducted them to serve as slaves to us.”

At least two people were killed in the attack. Hours after the incident, an officer who was in the convoy told TheCable that men of the state anti-robbery squad (SARS) deployed to rescue the officers were not been able to rescue all of them.

“Some private and commercial vehicles which were heading to Biu, Adamawa, Hawul and  Gwoza when the incident happened,” he had told TheCable.

“People abandoned the vehicles and took to their heels.

“The bus conveying our female colleague for burial was riddled with bullets, because it was in front.

“So far, only two people died but we are yet to ascertain whether others were killed or got trapped. SARS was deployed and the truck conveying the officers has been recovered.”

Boko Haram has been more ferocious since some of its commanders were swapped with 82 Chibok schoolgirls in May.

After the deal with the government, Shekau had warned of more attacks.