The Nigerian Army on Tuesday said the leader of a faction of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau has fled the Sambisa forest following intense bombardment by the Military as well as the capturing of most of the camps in the forest. The Army in a statement issued by spokesman, Brigadier General Sani Usman, said Shekau is on the run disguising as a woman in different hijab attires to evade arrest.
He added that credible information from his lieutenants that have surrendered indicated that Shekau escaped Sambisa because he could not withstand the heat of the counter-insurgency operation.
"The concerted efforts of troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE on the ongoing clearance of the Boko Haram terrorists through Operation DEEP PUNCH II have been yielding tremendous results. Troops have successfully been clearing Boko Haram camps in Sambisa forest including Camp Zairo. They have also rescued civilians being held hostages by the terrorists, recovered arms, ammunition, Improvised Explosives Devices (IED) factories and making materials as well as other equipment. Consequently, the terrorists are in disarray and scampering for safety while others were surrendering.
Credible information from arrested and surrendered insurgents indicated that the purported Boko Haram terrorists group factional leader, Abubakar Shekau could not bear the heat anymore as he has abandoned his followers, he is running for his dear life. He is desperately trying to escape the theatre disguised as a woman dressed in Hijab.
We reliably gathered that to avoid detection Abubakar Shekau alternates between blue and black coloured hijabs. He was last seen in a black hijab. “We therefore call on all those remaining Boko Haram terrorists to know that they are following a coward moving about in hijab disguised as a woman.
We also request all the remaining Boko Haram members to come out from hiding and lay down their arms and be treated humanely.
The statement advised residents of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states to be more vigilant, security conscious and be on the lookout for the Boko Haram leader and other terrorists that might want to disguise as woman. While concerted efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the fugitive terrorist leader, we implore also members of the public, especially the residents of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States to be more vigilant, security conscious and be on the lookout of Abubakar Shekau and other terrorists that might disguise as women to escape.”