A man identifying himself as the new head of Boko Haram has emerged in a chilling video, adopting the name “Shekau” and issuing threats against Nigeria’s Democracy and Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.
In addition to targeting Musa, the militant also directed his threats at Muslim clerics, military officers, and civilians aligned with government-led counterterrorism efforts.
The video, which PRNigeria translated from Hausa, appears to respond to General Musa’s recent vow in the same language, in which he declared that insurgents would either surrender to Nigerian troops or face destruction.
Speaking in the video, the self-styled Boko Haram leader addressed Musa directly: “Turn away from your mission and repent.
“Like your predecessors—Buratai, Attahiru, and Lagbaja—you will not triumph. Your campaign will only bring regret. Peace will never exist until democracy is destroyed.”
The insurgent insisted that every member of the military, regardless of religious background, is considered an enemy of the group, warning, “If you wear the uniform, even as a Muslim, you are one of them, and we will confront you.”
He further tried to demoralise the military by labelling it a “thankless profession” and urged soldiers to abandon their posts, claiming they struggle to provide for their families. “Leave the army. Join us,” he said.
Clerics who denounce Boko Haram’s ideology were also targeted. “Religious leaders who call us infidels should tread carefully. You don’t have to support us, but if you slander us, we will act,” he warned.
Civilians and traders collaborating with security forces were not spared: “Those helping the military are marked. Supporting democracy makes you an unbeliever.”
Security analysts view the video as a propaganda tactic meant to weaken public trust in the armed forces and fracture community alliances.
A military insider said the footage is aimed at sowing fear and disrupting morale both within the military and among the population.
Though the Defence Headquarters has not officially responded, past responses from military officials have dismissed such threats as desperate ploys from a weakened group.
General Musa previously reiterated that Nigeria’s counterinsurgency strategy remains firm: “Terrorists will either surrender or be taken out. There’s no compromise.”