Boko Haram’s leader said he has created an Islamic caliphate in a northeast Nigeria town seized by the insurgents earlier this month, in a video obtained by AFP on Sunday.
“Thanks be to Allah who gave victory to our brethren in (the town of) Gwoza and made it part of the Islamic caliphate,” Abubakar Shekau said in the 52-minute video.
He declared that Gwoza, in Borno state, now has “nothing to do with Nigeria”.
“By the grace of Allah we will not leave the town. We have come to stay,” said Shekau, who has been designated a global terrorist by the United States and sanctioned by the UN Security Council.
The United Nations humanitarian office (OCHA) earlier this month confirmed reports that Gwoza was under rebel control.
Boko Haram is also believed to be in control of other areas near Gwoza in southern Borno, as well as large swathes of territory in northern Borno and at least one town in neighbouring Yobe state.
Mapping the precise areas which have fallen into Islamist hands is nearly impossible.
There are few humanitarian workers on the ground in the northeast, travel is dangerous and the region, which has been under a state of emergency since May of last year, has poor mobile phone coverage.
Experts have described Boko Haram’s gains in recent weeks as unprecedented, saying the group was closer than ever to achieving its goal of carving out a strict Islamic state across northern Nigeria.
But many analysts believe the military has the capacity to reverse the insurgents’ advance.
Soldiers this week refused to deploy to Gwoza without better weapons in an apparent mutiny. [AFP]
Since most Northerners are so sentimental with there religion, BH establishing the region as Islamic Caliphate shouldn’t border them then!
I totally disagreed with this report. Those who behind the training of snippers to be killing innocent Nigerians under the disguise of Boko Haram are the ones responsible for the killing in Nigeria and the same time, giving out deceptive report to distract people from their evil doing. God is watching you. May Almighty Allah expose, disgrace, humiliate and annihilate all the people behind the killing of innocent Nigerians. Ameen.
But is there still govt in place in this country???
If yes why were so much military personnel in state like ekiti and Osun during elections in those states and non could be seen where d insurgents are taking over Nigeria territory bit by bit?!
Hmmm dis is a totaly dcve,bt by special grace of almighty Allah u soon b in doom of rgret inshallah coz our noble religion never teach us dis knd of nonces act killing inocent soul
This administration is a confused set up. It has lost the grip of power. If at this crucial period it cannot hold firm the security of this country what is it controlling?
Jonathan’s priority should be the security of this nation. He should release the names of those behind this deadly act.
The insurgents could not have been sustained till date if insiders are not involved. All departments in our military need thorough screening. Get rid of the black sheep among them.
Whatever effort Jonathan had put in, he needs to put in more. He should intensify more effort in “in house security sanitation”.
He should please stop wasting national resources on unneeded overbloated scaring election security. Let that be diverted into Boko Haram territory. This is better done to cushion the inadequate ammunition claims of our military.
This administration is making Nigeria a laughing stock at the international level. Our military claimed that it lacks ammunitions yet we are interested in wasting the little available to threating electorates to submission. That is to say either the national security is not important or insurgent is a farce. Whether we like it or not image burnish cannot erase the reality on ground. It is either we consume it or it consumes us. May God forbids the later.
It is very funny to see the self acclaimed giant of Africa shivering at the sight of a rat. We have got to a stage that we seek international assistance on a set of decidents that could have been copout if only we are truly loyal to our mother land.
Jonathan should please save us from this mess by taken drastic step to end the insurgent.
This is enough. During Ekiti and Osun election. There were abundant of security men. With all that, I am sure boko haram will be eradicated. GEJ pls stop the killings of all this innocent Nigerians we beg!!!