A hoodlum claiming to be the new leader of Boko Haram, adopting the infamous name “Shekau,” has released a disturbing video threatening Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, along with Muslim clerics, military personnel, and communities supporting the government’s anti-terror operations.
The threats appear to be a direct response to General Musa’s recent vow—delivered in Hausa—that insurgents would either surrender or be crushed by Nigerian troops.
In the video, translated from Hausa by PRNigeria, the insurgent declared: “This message is for General Christopher Musa. Repent and stop your mission. Like those before you—Buratai, Attahiru, Lagbaja—you will not succeed. You will regret your efforts against us. There will be no peace until democracy ends.”
He warned that all uniformed military personnel, regardless of religion, were legitimate targets for the group.
“Every soldier defending democracy is our enemy. Even if you’re Muslim, wearing that uniform makes you one of them, and we will fight you.”
Attempting to demoralize and recruit from within the Nigerian military ranks, the insurgent described the armed forces as a “thankless job” and urged soldiers to defect: “Leave that job. You can barely feed your families with it. Come and follow us.”
Muslim clerics who oppose Boko Haram’s extremist views were also targeted as he said: “Scholars misleading the people, calling us unbelievers—be warned. If you don’t support us, that’s fine. But defame us, and we will deal with you.”
He extended the threats to civilians and traders who support the military: “Anyone aiding the military against us will be killed. You are unbelievers for supporting democracy.”
The video, which security experts view as a strategic act of psychological warfare, comes amid intensified military offensives in Nigeria’s North-East. Analysts say such broadcasts aim to undermine public morale, threaten cohesion within the armed forces, and disrupt community cooperation with security agencies.
“This is classic propaganda,” said a military source familiar with counterterrorism operations. “They want to sow fear and doubt in communities and within our ranks.”
The Nigerian Armed Forces have not yet officially responded to the video. However, past military leaderships have maintained that Boko Haram’s media antics reflect desperation, not strength.
General Musa had earlier emphasized the military’s commitment to ending insurgency, stating: “These terrorists will either surrender or be eliminated. There is no middle ground.”
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