Terrorism: Army investigates claims of Shekau’s death …Reviews operational strategy

The authorities of the Nigerian Army have commenced investigation into the claim in a recent video purportedly by the Boko Haram leader, Imam Ibrahim Shekau, that he was alive contrary to the claim by the military.

Shekau was reported as having berated the Nigerian government, the military, the Unted States, the United Kingdom and others and claimed that he was alive, hale and hearty.

The Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, said during a press conference in Abuja on Friday that the Army had what he called technical sources that  could be relied upon to verify the video.

He said that efforts meant to verify the video were ongoing.

“On the issue of whether Shekau is alive or not, I want to reconfirm here that we intend to verify the authenticity of that video.

“We have technical sources who will look at the video, we also have sources that are going to feed us back to know whether this man is alive or otherwise. It is an ongoing investigation,” he said.

Attahiru also said that the authorities of the Nigerian Army had reviewed the operational strategy of tne service in the ongoing campaign against the Boko Haram insurgents in the North Eastern part of the country.

He said that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Azubuike Ihejirika, held a meeting with top commanders of all  Army formations in the country to ensure a review of the Army’s strategy in the ongoing campaign against terrorism in the North East.

He said that the review of the operational plans was provoked by the need to have future plans in the fight against the insurgents in the states under emergency rule.

He said, “As part of routine review, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, has just concluded a meeting with top military commanders from all major formations of the Nigeria Army.

“The purpose of the meeting was to reappraise the counter terrorism and counter insurgency efforts in the North East with a view to making future plans,” he added.

He said that while the operations of the Nigerian troops had ensured the disruption of the activities of the insurgents, the insurgents had carried out unprovoked attacks which led to the destruction of  lives and property in Benisheik, Buni-Yadira and Gujba.

Attahiru stated however that the Nigerian Army had since commenced  an operation designed to apprehend the insurgents and destroy their camps several of which according to him had been neutralised.