Shekau Resurfaces, Says 'I am Alive'
Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the Boko Haram islamist sect believed to have been killed in August, has sensationally re-emerged in a video clip, claiming to be alive and attacking notable world leaders.
In the video released on online on Christmas Day 2013, Shekau blasted Joint Task Force (JTF) spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa to 'go and die', while also claiming responsibility for last week's attack in Benisheikh, Borno State, which affected more than 160 people.
JTF spokesman in Borno, Sagir Musa had issued a statement on 19th August 2013, saying that available intelligence information to the Operation Restore Order hinted at Shekau's death.
He claimed that Shekau died of gunshot wounds sustained in an encounter with JTF operatives in one of their camps in Sambisa Forest earlier on 30th June 2013. He said Shekau was 'mortally wounded' in the gun duel and was sneaked into Amitchide - a border community in Cameroon - for treatment from which he never recovered'. But in Wednesday's video, Shekau re-emerged to taunt Musa so many others.
'Here I am, alive, hale and hearty', Shekau said in the interview. 'Sagir Musa should bury himself in shame, President [Goodluck] Jonathan [of Nigeria] should bury himself in shame, President Obama [of the United States of America] should bury himself in shame, and President Francois Hollande [of France] should bury himself in shame, Queen Elizabeth [of England should bury herself in shame.
'They said I am dead, but here I am. The world should know that I am alive and will only die at the appointed time. Everybody should be judged according to the dictates of his conscience'.
Continuing, he said: 'What I am doing is written in the Holy Qur'an and the Hadith and I will not stop. I challenge all the clerics of the world to question my deeds. Those underrating my capacity should have a re-think. I will never allow democracy to thrive.
'The concept of government of the people by the people for the people will never be possible and will never exist. Democracy shall be replaced only by the government of Allah, from Allah and for Allah.
'Nigerian soldiers are late. After killing many of them in Monguno and Benisheik, we have snatched their armoured carriers and Hilux vans and then hoisted Islamic flags on them. We now move freely with them'.
Reacting to the video, the Public Relations Unit of the Nigerian Army said it would study the video to ascertain the veracity of the claims and the authenticity of the person claiming to be Shekau.