Nothing To Worry About As It Concerns Boko Haram Leader’s Killing, Says Ex-Navy Chief

Amidst confusing reports over the weekend that a man parading himself as the leader of the Boko Haram terrorist group was killed on Friday during a heavy battle with the Nigerian Military at Konguba in Borno State.

Despite the fact that pictures of the supposed Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau was posted online by multiple blog sites and news agencies within the country over the weekend, the Nigerian Military has not fully come out to either dispel or confirm the rumours making the rounds.

Now a retired Naval Officer, Rear Admiral Francis Akpan (Rtd) appearing on Channels Television this morning stated that for the military, reporting or confirming reports is business as usual and that Nigerians have nothing to be scared or nervous about.

To him, it is possible to get both positive and negative news from the Army’s engagement of the Boko Haram sect.

He said that “if you go into history, you will out we had this in ECOMOG, and during campaigns we were part of and this is to be expected”. He added that there’s a great influx globally and we cannot be shield from the global insecurity flux.

The Retired Rear Admiral further stated that the current deployment of the Nigerian Military in 32 out of the 36 states has taken its toll on the military making it impossible for them to carry out their primary responsibility which is to protect our borders against foreign aggression.

Despite the heavy casualty suffered by the Nigerian Military in their battle with the terrorist sect, he was happy that the Military has now taken the battle to Boko Haram. He said that “it gladdens to know that we are beginning to take our place in the fight against insurgency and terror”

This explanation comes after counter reports were making rounds that the army did not kill the Boko Haram leader but rather an impersonator or a look-alike.

Despite the President’s boast that Boko Haram would be wiped off within a month, Nigerians who are willing to believe the President’s promise but are still reluctant to be overjoyed by the news that the leader of the group has been killed fearing for a reprisal attacks from the group. History which is we all know is the best teacher has shown that in this country, when it comes to issues concerning the Boko Haram sect that those fears by ordinary Nigerians are justifiable.  In recent months, killing one member of the group invariably leads to the death of hundreds of civilians as a reprisal attacks from the group.