Boko Haram: Defence Ministry Says Boko Haram's 'Islamic Caliphate' Claim A Ruse

BEVERLY HILLS, August 24, (THEWILL) - Nigeria's Ministry of Defence Sunday dismissed the claim by the leader of the Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, that the terrorist group has annexed Gwoza, a town in Borno State, as part of the 'Islamic Caliphate'.

Shekau in a new video Sunday said the Boko Haram will defend Gwoza which it seized some days back and would push to conquer more territories.

The military had launched an attack in the town to liberate it from the group.

However, the Ministry of Defence in a tweet dismissed the Islamic Caliphate claim as 'empty.'

'That claim is empty. The sovereignty & 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 that expression of delusion and crime. Appropriate military operations to secure that Area from the activities of the Bandits is still ongoing,' the MOD tweet said.