Following the swap of five Boko Haram commanders for the 82 released Chibok girls on May 6, a new video which surfaced online according to reports has shown the men bragging after their freedom.
Daily Trust reports that the five commanders in the 6 minutes 30 seconds video where dressed in full military uniform and were captured alighting from a Toyota Hilux vehicle mounted with a machine gun.
One of the men identified as Abu Dardaa recalled that he was arrested by the Nigerian security operatives in Gombe State ans taken into custody alongside some of his brethren who were set free in exchange for the Chibok Girls.
He said in the video: “I’m Dardaa, popularly known as ‘moni,’ who was arrested by the infidels after detonating explosives. I’m now fully back in Sambisa living with my brethren. It’s the same place you claimed you’ve taken over.”
Reacting to the video, the spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Sani Usman Kukasheka noted that the video is mere propaganda and should be dismissed as such.
The Army spokesman however confirmed that one of the men in the video was in fact part of the men freed in exchange for the Chibok girls.
The Nigerian Army in a statement issued on Saturday dismissed the threats issued by the terrorists in the video adding that it is merely an attempt at regaining relevance and attention from the public.
The statement read: “As you are all aware, he was a direct beneficiary of the process that led to the release of 82 of the abducted girls, and does not have a say or capacity to do anything, therefore his threats should be ignored.
“We would like to assure the public that the Nigerian Army is totally committed to the Federal Government’s determined efforts of rescuing all abducted persons and peace in the country.”
The Army spokesman further assured Nigerians that the military will not relent in its efforts at fighting the insurgents as it has the support of the Nigerian Air Force which has been carrying out air raids.
“We wish to solicit more support, cooperation and understanding from the public, particularly members of the press.
“We should not give in to terrorists’ propaganda and empty threats. We have come to a very critical stage of the fight against terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria that require more patriotism and security consciousness by all and sundry.
“Gone were the days when people glamorize terrorists and their criminal acts.”