Boko Haram has lost touch with reality… ignore their threats, says army

The Nigeria army has reacted to the latest video clips released by Boko Haram, urging people to ignore the threats of the group.

The army said the sect was only seeking relevance and attention.

In one of the videos, Shuaibu Moni, a commander of the sect, who was among those released in exchange for 82 Chibok girls, declared that there was no dialogue between them and the government.

He threatened that the sect would launch an attack on the federal capital territory (FCT).

In the second the video, some veiled persons alleged to be Chibok girls were seen explaining the reason they did not want to return home.

But the army described this as mere propaganda.

“The attention of Nigerian Army has been drawn to two video clips released by one of the released Boko Haram terrorists in exchange for the abducted Chibok schoolgirls,” Sani Usman, army spokesman, said in a statement issued on Saturday.

“In the first clip the terrorist, among other things, made boastful and spurious allegations, while the second clip was about alleged indoctrination of some of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls in captivity.

“We wish to state that the terrorist has lost touch with current realities. It was aimed at seeking relevance and attention.

“As you are all aware, he was a direct beneficiary of the process that led to the release of 82 of the abducted girls, and does not have a say or capacity to do anything, therefore his threats should be ignored.

“We would like to assure the public that the Nigerian Army is totally committed to the federal government’s determined efforts of rescuing all abducted persons and peace in the country.

“We will not relent in our determined efforts of clearing the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists as manifested through the ongoing clearance operations. The Nigerian air force is unrelenting in its bombardment while other security agencies are equally doing their best.”

Usman called for support from citizens, particularly members of the press, saying “we should not give in to terrorists’ propaganda and empty threats”.

“We have come to a very critical stage of the fight against terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria that requires more patriotism and security consciousness by all and sundry. Gone were the days when people glamorise terrorists and their criminal acts,” he added.