Against the backdrop of threats by one of the Boko Haram Commander of the Ababakar Shekau group, who was swapped by the federal government, to bomb Abuja, the Nigerian Army, has said the threat was mere propaganda as the commander had no capacity carry out such act.
An international journalist with close links with the group, Ahmed Salkida had obtained a video released from the Abubakar Shekau faction which featured one Shuaibu Moni, a Boko Haram Commander, one of those swapped for the 82 released girls.
The video quoted Moni issuing threats to the Nigerian government and President Muhammadu Buhari.
The commander claimed that it was not true that only five insurgents were released in exchange for the Chibok girls.
He then warned of imminent bombing in Abuja adding that there’s been no dialogue with government and that there won’t be.
But the Nigerian Army in a statement signed by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman Said, “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 school girls.
“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 school girls in captivity.
“We wish to state that the terrorist has lost touch with current realities.
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“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 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.
“Therefore, we wish to solicit for more support, cooperation and understanding of the public, particularly members of the Press.
“We should not give in to terrorist’s propaganda and empty threats.
“We have come to a very critical stage of the fight against terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria that require more patriotism and security consciousness by all and sundry.
“Gone were the days when people glamorize terrorists and their criminal acts.”
About 276 schoolgirls were abducted over three years ago, while 82 were released after negotiations involving the Swiss Government, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Federal Government on one side and the terror sect on the other.
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