The people of West Africa who want the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, dead will be disappointed that the man has re-emerged. He surfaced in a new video after a long absence that fuelled speculation about his health and ability to lead the Islamist militants. In a 36-minute video, Shekau was seen wearing a white robe and skull cap, holding an assault rifle as he sat in front of a military camouflage canvas.
He appeared unwell but made no direct mention of his health or the reports that he had high blood pressure, failing eyesight and diabetes-related complications. The jihadist leader used to appear frequently on camera but was last seen in a 14-minute video message on February 6, in which he claimed responsibility for attacks in the Northeast parts of Nigeria.
The eccentric warrior, who is widely believed to be in his late 40s, said the latest message was recorded on July 12 at the request of his supporters “as a kind of Eid greetings… to show that their brethren are well, in view of all sorts of things infidels are saying about us which we have ignored”.
The end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan was celebrated in the Islamic world on June 15. The date cited for the recording has not been independently verified, and there was no explanation about the apparent delay in releasing or publishing the message.
In May 2017, Shekau looked frail and appeared to have difficulty reading from a prepared speech, which he held close to his face in an apparent indication of vision problems. Some reliable sources said last month that Shekau’s health was failing and he was “too weak to remain in charge” of the jihadists.
His lieutenants were reported to have held talks about the situation and decided to shove him out of power. Some thought the man had been killed.
