EXTRA: Shekau now wears hijab, says army

Abubakar Shekau, leader of the Boko Haram sect, has abandoned his followers and is currently trying to escape from the war front, according to the army.

In a statement on Tuesday, Sani Usman, army spokesman, said the Boko Haram leader who has been disguising as a woman, was last seen in a black hijab.

“The concerted efforts of troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE on the ongoing clearance of the Boko Haram terrorists through Operation DEEP PUNCH II have been yielding tremendous results,” the statement read.

“Troops have successfully been clearing Boko Haram camps in Sambisa forest including Camp Zairo. They have also rescued civilians being held hostages by the terrorists, recovered arms, ammunition, improvised explosives devices (IED) factories and making materials as well as other equipment.

“Consequently, the terrorists are in disarray and scampering for safety while others were surrendering.

“Credible information from arrested and surrendered insurgents indicated that the purported Boko Haram terrorists group factional leader, Abubakar Shekau could not bear the heat anymore as he has abandoned his followers, he is running for his dear life.

“He is desperately trying to escape the theatre disguised as a woman dressed in hijab. We reliably gathered that to avoid detection Abubakar Shekau alternates between blue and black coloured hijabs. He was last seen in a black hijab.”

Usman advised members of the sect to surrender and realise that they are being led by “a coward moving about in hijab”.

“We therefore call on all those remaining Boko Haram terrorists to come out from hiding and lay down their arms and be treated humanely,” he said.

“While concerted efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the fugitive terrorist leader, we implore also members of the public, especially the residents of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States to be more vigilant, security conscious and be on the lookout of Abubakar Shekau and other terrorists that might disguise as women to escape.”