Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters Thursday evening dismissed the seeming olive branch waved by wanted Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau in online video clips that surfaced earlier in the day. The clips, in Arabic and Hausa languages, show an ostensibly remorseful Shekau asking for forgiveness.

In the seven-minute video, a subdued Shekau – seeing the first time in more than a year – appears in a military uniform with a rifle resting on his left shoulder and said he wanted to thank his followers for their dedication.

“I have done my part. This message is just to reassure you that I'm alive and actually the one speaking to you,” he said in both Hausa and Arabic.

But reacting to the video, DHQ said in a statement signed by Acting Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar: “The DHQ wishes to state emphatically that not minding the contents of the video clips, the Armed Forces of Nigeria would continue to fight in order to consolidate the successes recorded so far and assuring Nigerians that no inch of the Nigerian territory would be allowed to be bastardized by any force of darkness again. The DHQ is also reassuring the good citizens of our great country that all captives under the coffer of the Boko Haram Terrorists, would regain their freedom with the ongoing military’s final offensive against the terrorists.

“While the Nigerian Military would not rest until all the remnants of the terrorist group are completely wiped out of our blessed land, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, wishes to commend all officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their sacrifices, determination and courage to degrade the terrorists and task them to complete the good job they have started soonest in line with our rules of engagement.

“The said video clips should therefore be discountenanced as it could be another ploy or antics of the terrorists to keep our innocent citizen off their current security alertness to maximise casualties if attacked. The Nigerian Armed Forces are now determined more than ever before to end this ugly trend.

“Members of the public are also advised not to be carried away by the video clips, but to be extra vigilant and be security conscious at all times during Easter celebration and beyond. Public is also reminded to report any suspicious strange faces, movement and object to the nearest security agency so as to counter any unholy plans of the Godless terrorist group.”

In keeping with the vow to decisively end the Islamist insurgency that has killed 20,000 people since 2009, troops of 7 Division Garrison and 112 Battalion Nigerian Army, assisted by some Civilian JTF, on Wednesday conducted clearing operations at Menari, Bulamari, Zangebe, Maafa, Mijigine, Baale and Kaltaram villages in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State.

“During the operations, they killed 5 Boko Haram terrorists and rescued 180 persons and their cattle held hostages by the terrorists at Giltimari and Baale,” Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, said.

•Photo shows Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau speaking in a video.

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