TheCable

The Nigerian army says it has recovered Abubakar Shekau’s Quran and flag in Camp Zero, the Boko Haram headquarters in Sambisa forest.

Lucky Irabor, a major general and the theatre commander of operation Lafiya Dole, said this while updating journalists on ‘Operation Rescue Final’ in Maiduguri.

“We believe that the Holy Book and the flag were abandoned by Abubakar Shekau while he escaped,” Irabor said.

“The book will be taken to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Burutai, for onward presentation to Mr President.

“We have also made a lot of arrests. Our troops in Damboa arrested about 15 Boko Haram members. We also arrested one Musa from Potiskum on Christmas Day, which was December 25.”

“On December 26, our troops also intercepted two Boko Haram suspects in Maiduguri. We, therefore, warn residents of the state to be wary of people coming to hide in and around their houses.”

“We are also warning residents to report any suspected Boko Haram members hiding in their houses to the relevant security agencies and any failure to do that would tantamount to supporting and sympathising with the sect’s activities.”

It is unclear if Shekau himself is dead or alive.

Although the army said in August that its “most unprecedented and spectacular air raid” had “fatally wounded” the Boko Haram leader, in his shoulders, the commander responded with a video a month later, claiming he was “fine now”.