Boko Haram leader Shekau publishes new video claiming they abducted 16 policewomen last week

BOKO Haram leader Sheikh Abubakar Shekau has appeared in a fresh video in which he boasts about how his organisation was responsible for ambushing a military-escorted convoy along the Maiduguri-Damboa road during which several policewoman were abducted.

Last week, a convoy was attacked along the road and many civilians were abducted including 16 women believed to be police officers. So far, the authorities have not revealed the identities of the women  in order not to jeopardise their safety and lives in the hands of their abductors, who may not have had the knowledge that they were serving police officers.

According to the Borno State Police Command, at least two persons, including a police officer were killed while six others were injured during the attack. However, police spokesman Victor Isukwu, stated that the command was not aware of any abductions during the incident.

In  the YouTube video released on Monday, Sheikh Shekau, confirmed that his group did carry out the Damboa ambush. Speaking in a very unusual calm mood and appearing in a room sitting alone with a AK47 rifle across his shoulder, with a huge chewing stick on his right hand, Sheikh Shekau did not hold any piece of paper when he spoke but looked sickly and tired.

He said the ambush on the convoy along Maiduguri-Damboa road was a victory given to them by God and that the policewomen abducted were taken as slaves. Sheikh Shekau said the ease with which they conducted the ambush was an indication that he still commanded large following and his group has not been defeated.

Furthermore, he also issued an unusual threat to Muslim clerics whom he said are misleading the world about the true teaching of Islam. His 14 minute video clip featured some of the Muslim clerics as they condemned the existence and activities of Boko Haram.

It also showed footages of how the attack was carried out and how Boko Haram gunmen all in black attires continued to open fire on the moving vehicles. In the video, Sheikh Shekau said God had given the policewomen to Boko Haram as slaves.

Sheikh Shekau added: “The people of Nigeria and the so-called Islamic clerics who are betrayers, we are calling on you all to repent and return to God. Your leaders are feeding you with lies on what they have not done but we are well and in good shape, so if you could come and have a look at the life we are living here, most of you would rather wish to be with us to enjoy what we are enjoying.

"We are living fine because it is God we work for. So, this is to tell you that we did the Damboa road ambush and the operation has put a lie to all claims of Nigeria soldiers, the police and other top government officials that they have finished Boko Haram."

He pointed out that Boko Haram has confiscated several cars but added that it is nothing compared with what the Nigerian state has done to Boko Haram. According to Sheikh Shekau many of their friends have been in detention for years and many were killed, so if they abduct a few women, who are not more than ten or thereabout, it is not a big deal.