Boko Haram terrorists ambushed military-escorted convoy, kidnapped policewomen, Shekau says in new video
The Boko Haram terrorists leader, Abubakar Shekau, in a new video said his group was responsible for last week’s ambush of a military-escorted convoy of travellers along Maiduguri-Damboa road.
PREMIUM TIMES reported the ambush during which many civilians were abducted including 16 women. Though this newspaper was well informed by officials knowledgeable about the ambush that the women were police officers, it was not reveal their identities 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.
The police in Borno State had said at least two persons, including a police officer were killed while six others were injured.
The police, however, denied being aware of the abductions.
The Borno Police Public Relations Officer, Victor Isukwu, categorically stated that the command was not aware of such abduction. This denial was made even though relations and colleagues of the abducted persons lamented that the 16 policewomen were missing.
In a YouTube video released on Monday, the Boko Haram terrorists leader, Abubakar Shekau, confirmed that his group did carry out the Damboa ambush.
Mr. Shekau who spoke in a very unusual calm mood appeared in a room sitting alone and having his AK47 rifle across his shoulder, with a huge chewing stick on his right hand.
He 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.
Mr. 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.
He also issued an unusual threat to Muslim clerics whom he said are misleading the world on the true teaching of Islam. The video clip featured some of the Muslim clerics as they condemned the existence and activities of Boko Haram.
