'Diversionary, desperate, photoshopped' – Nigeria army rubbishes Boko Haram Eid video

Nigeria

The Nigerian Army has formally responded to the latest video released by insurgent group, Boko Haram, describing it as a desperate and diversionary tactic.

This was contained in a statement signed by Brig. Gen Rabe Abubakar, the director of Defence Information in the administrative capital, Abuja.

‘‘It is important to state here that the video clip is diversionary and a desperate attempt by the dying Boko Haram sect to remain relevant.

‘‘The video clip is a complete show of weakness and sign that the end is near for the insurgents, hence it does not in any way poses threat to us,’‘ the statement said.

3. There is no single area or territory where BHT flag is being hoisted in Nigeria & we challenge anyone to come up with a contrary opinion.

— Brig.Gen R. Abubakar (@RabeAbubakarDDI) September 15, 2016

In the said video released two days after the Eid-ul-Adha celebration on Monday, Boko Haram insurgents were shown offering their prayers in a mosque and two other locations in the Sambisa forest.

A spokesman who addressed the worshippers on behalf of Abubakar Shekau threatened that the group were ready to unleash more attacks in Nigeria and also capture the sitting president and leader of ‘infidels’ – Muhammadu Buhari – alive.

They also sent a warning to the army chief, Tukur Buratai to stop peddling falsehood about having ‘finished’ them. Interestingly they also warned the army not to say the latest video was concocted as has been the case in the past.

But the army’s statement suggests that. ‘‘The military is equally not deterred by the photoshop assemblage of worshippers at the supposed Eid-El Kabir prayer which is a replica of the video clip released by the sect in 2014,” the statement said.

The army also described the sect as empty vessels that made the most noise. They said they were ready to rid the country of all terrorists and to ensure the safety and security of all persons.