The Nigerian military has reacted to a new video purportedly released by Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau wherein he tried to debunk his killing during a battle in Konduga on September 17.

In it, military authorities insist that Bashir Mohammed alias Abubakar Shekau was actually eliminated as corroborated by still photographs, video evidence and surrendering and captured terrorists.

The reaction was contained in a short statement posted on defence information blog defenceinfo.mil.ng.

The reaction of Defence Headquarters titled ‘The Purported Shekau Video in Circulation’ is as follows:

“The Defence Headquarters is studying the claims made in the video purportedly released by the terrorists showing their leader Abubakar Shekau as dismissing his death. From immediate observation and what some online news outlets claimed to have seen, the video did not indicate when it was shot neither did it show any proof of life or currency such as screen time or date. The video also did not make any reference to anything that has happened since the impostor’s reported death.

“It is also noteworthy that the air plane said to be mentioned in the video had been missing before he was killed. It should not surprise anybody if the terrorists decide to manipulate pictures, clone another Shekau or upload a pre-recorded video all in a bid to prove invincible.

“As far as we are concerned, the individual who was appearing in video and claiming to be the leader of the terrorist group was killed in the Kondunga battle in September. The resemblance of the corpse and that of the eccentric character was incontrovertible. His identity was equally corroborated by people who knew him before we announced his death.”

While still conducting thorough investigation into the new claims in the purprted video, the military promised that justice will be served to whoever bears that name or designation and whoever engages in act.

•Photo shows Defence Spokesman, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade.

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