By Abu Duniya
The video purported to be of Nigeria’s most wanted terrorist and Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, urging his fighters to surrender is exciting Nigerians even as military authorities are reported to be studying the clip.
Several national newspapers had reported the surfacing of the grainy video in which a gaunt looking Shekau, who started speaking in Arabic before switching to Hausa, said ‘Nawa ya kare’ which loosely translates to “mine is finished” or “I am finished”.
In sharp contrast to the well produced previous videos, the latest video had Shekau, who had not surfaced in about a year, in a dimly lit environment without the highly animated and exaggerated gesticulations of his previous propaganda clips.
Added to the absence of usual boastful attitude in the video, the Boko Haram leader held onto the weapon in what could be a symbolic attempt to defend himself from likely resistance from his immediate fighters. There are suggestions that he may be planning an escape from his present hideout.
His acknowledgement of the support by his followers is a sign of gratitude for standing by him all the while. Now that his own is finished, he can only pray for them.
Under the present administration, the Nigerian Army supported by the Air Force has sustained a successful onslaught on terrorists’ strongholds leading to several Boko Haram Amirs (Commanders) being killed by Nigerian troops.
The military has also disrupted the terror group’s logistics capturing many heavy weapons and vehicles.
Without doubt, the Nigerian army has decimated the Boko Haram insurgents and there is little doubt that our gallant troops have dealt a heavy blow on the terrorists. Recently, the Nigerian army have arrested several wanted Boko Haram commanders and the new video of Shekau announcing a surrender, has long been expected.
For some months now, the inability of the Boko Haram terrorists to carry out any major attack, something which was common in the last administration, showed that indeed their days were numbered.
However, it is very important that the army and security agents do not let their guard down. As we have come to learn, there are political Boko Haram. There are many who are not happy that the military is winning the war. Our security agencies must keep watch on those who may try to radicalize our youths.
