Tension as self-styled Boko Haram leader threatens CDS, clerics, others

A man claiming to be the new leader of Boko Haram has released a disturbing video filled with threats aimed at Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, as well as Islamic clerics, soldiers, and communities cooperating with the government in its ongoing counter-insurgency efforts.

The video, obtained and translated from Hausa appears to be a direct response to General Musa’s recent warning to terrorists. In that earlier message, the Defence Chief vowed in Hausa that insurgents would be wiped out unless they surrendered to Nigerian forces.

Reacting, the self-proclaimed terrorist commander, who referred to himself as “Shekau,” issued a chilling warning to the Defence Chief and the Nigerian Armed Forces.

“This message is for General Christopher Musa. Repent and stop your war against us—you won’t succeed. Others before you tried and failed,” he declared in the video. “TY Buratai fought us and failed. Same with General Attahiru and General Lagbaja. You won’t be different.”

He urged troops to abandon their posts and join the insurgency, portraying the military as an unworthy cause. “You wear uniforms to defend democracy, and that makes you our enemy, whether Muslim or not. Leave that job that barely feeds you. Come and join us,” he added.

The militant didn’t stop at targeting the armed forces. He also lashed out at Islamic scholars who have denounced Boko Haram’s ideology, accusing them of misleading the public and aligning with democracy. “We are watching you,” he warned. “If you defame us, we’ll strike.”

Communities and traders who support or cooperate with the military were also threatened. “Anyone helping the soldiers will be killed. Supporting democracy makes you an unbeliever,” he stated, reinforcing the group’s long-standing anti-democratic stance.