Emerging reports had earlier suggested that Boko Haram has finally surrendered to the superior power of Nigeria.

A video by The Leadership, shared on Facebook, shows the kingpin, Abubakar Shekau who was rumoured to have been killed, advising his followers to “surrender to save themselves”.

Shekau in the video uploaded by the Leadership reportedly appeared to have surrendered to constant bombardments by the Nigerian army troops.


Reports that emerged in the early hours of March 24 suggested that Boko Haram had finally surrendered to the superior power of Nigeria.

A video published by Leadership, shows the group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, who was previously rumoured to have been killed, advising his followers to “surrender to save themselves”.

Shekau in the video uploaded by the Leadership reportedly appeared to have surrendered to constant bombardments by the Nigerian troops.

However, analysis of the speech by Shekau casts doubt on the claims of the terrorist leader’s surrender.

NAIJ.com’s editors have carefully listened to the now-viral speech by Shekau. They could not verify any message urging the Islamists to lay down their weapons in the video.

Contrary to the Leadership’s take on the video, our translators noted that Shekau continually used:“Naji sakon ku, naji, gaisuwar ku, Allah ya saka maku da alkairi,”
meaning“I have received ya messages, I have heard you greetings, God bless you.”

He also spoke about their deformed caliphate in Gwoza, noting that the people are also wishing him well.

Further analysis of the video suggests that a surrendering man does not surrender with arms at his shoulder. Shekau was carrying a firearm and could not possibly be telling others to lay down theirs, experts say.