ISIS releases first video with Boko Haram

There are strong indications that the Islamic sect Boko Haram has forged a strong operational alliance with the ruthless Islamic State as the two bodies have released a joint video for the first time on Saturday. This is the first video recording since Boko Haram pledged allegiance to the Islamic State last year. The video showed the picture of a suspected Nigerian soldier in a kneeling position surrounded by three terrorists with AK47 assault rifles. Later in the video, the body of the soldier was shown without the head. The location of the action was not specified in the latest video. Also, the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, did not speak in the video. Mail Online reported that the audio message, which was entitled ‘kill and be killed,’ was read by an unidentified spokesman for ISIS. The audio message released through the militants’ vast social media channels was read by an ISIS spokesperson who also threatened further violence against Christian and Jewish communities. The video carried a West African insignia of the ISIS which indicated that the group has set up media wing in Nigeria. The horrific pictures displayed in the video bore a striking similarity with the horrendous acts and scenes in ISIS videos. The video also showed the insurgents in a battle against security forces who were not visible and did not return the fire of the enemy. Our correspondent could not get the Director, Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade to comment on the video. However, Olukolade, who is believed to be outside the country, responded to a text message on the issue and referred our correspondent to the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. SK Usman. SUNDAY PUNCH could not raech Usman to get his view on the video as calls to his mobile telephone line did not connect. Also, Usman had not responded to a text message on the issue as of the time of filing this report on Saturday night. However, a security operative in the mission said there had been no recent incident of Boko Haram attack and sacking of military formations in the North-East. SOURCE: PUNCH