The Nigerian Army says Abubakar Shekau, leader of Boko Haram, is now on the run ‘disguising in blue and black hijabs’ to escape arrest by the troops.

“Credible information from arrested and surrendered insurgents indicated that the purported Boko Haram terrorists group factional leader, Abubakar Shekau could not bear the heat anymore as he has abandoned his followers,” said Sani Usman, a Brigadier-General Sani and Director Army Public Relations, in a statement on Tuesday.

“He is running for his dear life. He is desperately trying to escape the theatre, disguised as a woman and dressed in Hijab,” Usman said.

“We reliably gathered that to avoid detection Abubakar Shekau alternates between blue and black coloured hijabs. He was last seen in a black hijab,” he said

According to him, concerted efforts of troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE on the ongoing clearance of the Boko Haram terrorists through Operation DEEP PUNCH II have been yielding tremendous results.

“Troops have successfully been clearing Boko Haram camps in Sambisa forest including Camp Zairo.

“They have also rescued civilians being held hostages by the terrorists, recovered arms, ammunition, Improvised Explosives Devices (IED) factories and making materials as well as other equipment.

“Consequently, the terrorists are in disarray and scampering for safety while others were surrendering.”

In a latest video released on February 7, 2018, Shekau had refuted claims by the Military that Sambisa forest had been cleared of terrorists.

“And you, I don’t even know your name [referring to the Theatre Commander, Maj Gen Rogers Nicholas], the Igbo leader of the military in Maiduguri lying to people that you have captured Sambisa simply because you got some women who are your ilk, some of whom we killed,” he said in the video.

“So, where are the policewomen, if you have overpowered us, since they are being held by our brothers in the same Sambisa? Why haven’t you rescued them, you liar? And you got a vehicle that we abandoned for almost three years and claiming you have killed us. How come we are hale and hearty?”