TheCable

The Nigerian army has declared Abubakar Shekau, leader of the Boko Haram sect, and 54 insurgents, wanted for various “terror acts”.

The development comes two months after Sani Usman, army spokesman, claimed Shekau was “fatally wounded” during a raid on Sambisa forest.

But speaking at the headquarters of the theatre command of Operation Lafiya Dole on Monday, Gabriel Olonisakin, chief of defence staff, appealed to members of the public to assist in providing information that would rid the society of “these insurgents”.

He displayed the photographs of the wanted sect members.

“With this launch of additional photographs of wanted Boko Haram terrorists, it is hoped that all members of the public and other peace loving citizen will provide useful information that will aid in riding the society of these terrorists and criminal elements,” he said.

Speaking earlier, Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, maintained that the Boko Haram insurgents had been defeated.

He said many out of the 202, who were earlier declared wanted, had either been killed or arrested.

Shekau has always debunked the claims of the military that he had been killed.

In September, 2014, security forces announced that one Mohammed Bashir, who had been posing as the “eccentric character” Shekau, had been taken down. It maintained that the sect leader was killed during a military raid on Sambisa forest.

But Shekau debunked the report of his death in videos that emerged days after.

“They said I am dead, but here I am. The world should know that I am alive and will only die at the appointed time. Everybody should be judged according to the dictates of his conscience,” he had said

Two months ago, Lucky Irabor, theatre commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, told reporters in Adamawa state that the military had killed the individual originally identified as Shekau, as well as his impostor.

“I can confirm to you that the original Shekau was killed, the second Shekau was killed, and the man presenting himself as Shekau, I can also confirm to you that few days ago, he was wounded.

“They released videos to prove that they are still active, but that’s just a facade.”

By declaring him wanted again shows that Shekau is still alive.