The pic above is a screen grab taken from a new purported Boko Haram video released by the sect and obtained exclusively by AFP. It shows Boko Haram fighters parading with about three tanks in an unidentified town they had apparently taken over.
It was not possible to tell whether the footage was staged for propaganda purposes, especially scenes of residents cheering Islamist fighters. The message appeared to be aimed at reinforcing Shekau’s claim that he has created a caliphate within Nigeria.
In the 44-minute video {watch out for it on GISTMANIA}, Boko Haram voices support for other so-called caliphates, including the one proclaimed in Iraq and Syria by the Islamic State (IS) group.
Shekau, who is pictured in close-up shots with rare clarity, again dismisses government claims about ceasefire talks and threatens to kill the man who has presented himself as Boko Haram’s negotiator.
The video, which was delivered through the same channels as past messages, shows armed men lined along a well-paved road, with three pick-up trucks equipped with heavy weapons also visible.
Black, crested flags associated with the Islamist group are also shown. Later, an armoured vehicle is driven down the road lined with both fighters and individuals who appear to be residents of the town.
Boko Haram has released a series of videos showing similar military hardware, equipment it says was stolen from the Nigerian military. Such claims have been impossible to verify.
No women or girls are seen on the street or anywhere else in the footage.
Most of the message is taken up by a sermon from Shekau, delivered indoors but apparently played on a speaker to locals assembled outside.
"We have indeed established an Islamic caliphate,” he said, restating a call he first made in August.
The images of the sermon include unusually clear close-ups of Shekau, who in past videos has often been shown at a distance, sometimes in grainy footage.
– ‘Support for Islamic brethren’ –
Shekau has previously expressed solidarity with other jihadi groups and leaders, including the IS militants.
In the latest video, he seemed to associate territory under his control with a wider, global caliphate, but did not submit to the authority of any other jihadi leader.
To everyone living in Islamic Caliphate, we convey our greetings,” he said, specifically mentioning “brethren” in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Shishan (an Islamist term for Chechnya), Yemen, Somalia and “the Caliphate in Iraq and Syria.”
A graphic shown later includes a picture the IS group’s leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as well as a portion of the message his group issued on July 1 proclaiming a caliphate in Iraq and Syria.
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I have been reporting on latest news from Nigeria for almost 10 years now. I report on every possible news area I come across, but always ensure my reports are compiled with dignity and fact to uphold my personal values and duty as a journalist
Posted: at 9-11-2014 10:47 PM (10 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Weldon boko haram ... if you need something just go for it and this will also help us to get Biafra now ... niGERia Has Expired and goodluck knows about it ...... i pity Christians in Yoruba Land bc boko Haram will come for you people soon .... well ....you people can come seek for an asylum on Biafran Land ...
ALL HAIL BIAFRA
Posted: at 10-11-2014 07:02 AM (10 years ago) | Newbie
Nigeria military has failed us. Ministry of defense should be scrap.
I have said that you said above before; that are Military are not performing. Later I look at it like this: Let say 8 pupils were in a class, in the first term teacher A taught them Mathematics and they all passed, second Term teacher B taught them Mathematics they all passed again, in third term teacher C taught them Mathematics and they all failed! Can we say the pupils are dullards or teacher C is the poor teacher? Now in the case of Nigeria, our Military group have excelled in all the Military and peace keeping operations outside the country e.g Liberia, Siera Leone, Sudan, Congo e.t.c, I think you can remember the part Nigeria Military group played in the ECOMOG. Also, the Military would fail and continue to fail because: the number of military personnel deployed to certain states for election is more than the number of military personnel deployed to the Bokoharam hell ( which I consider a battle field for now). It was also reported times without number that are Military group didn’t have enough arms and ammunitions. So, to me I see as a result of poor leadership cum poor management of the available resources.
Posted: at 10-11-2014 07:20 AM (10 years ago) | Upcoming