The Nigerian military yesterday lambasted the leader of the extremist group Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, dismissing his claim that a northeast town seized by the insurgents earlier this month has been placed under an Islamic caliphate.

In a tweet on its twitter handle, the Defence Headquarters described the claim made by Shekau in a new video “is empty,” vowing: “The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Nigerian state is still intact.

“Any group of terrorists laying claim to any portion of the country will not be allowed to get away with the expression of delusion and crime.

“Appropriate military operations to secure that area from the activities of the bandits is still ongoing.”

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