Anyone with credible information that can lead to the arrest of the leader of the terrorists group, Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, will get a cash reward of N3 million.
The announcement was made on Thursday by the spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Sani Usman, just as Shekau was also declared a fugitive.
The statement reads: “The Nigerian Army will give out Three Million Naira (N3,000,000.00k) cash reward for any credible information that leads to the arrest of Abubakar Shekau, the fugitive factional Boko Haram terrorists’ group leader.
“Anybody with such credible information can either contact the Military Command and Control Centre, Operation Lafiya Dole, any military location, security agencies or call the Nigerian Army Information and Call Centre 193”.
Put under intense pressure by the unceasing attacks by the Nigerian troops, Shekau was said to be in a fix.
He was said to be desperate to escape and had been disguising, donning blue or black hijab at different times.
Usman had in a statement he issued on Tuesday said Shekau was last seen wearing a black hijab.
He was also said to have abandoned his followers desperately looking for an escape route.
Said Usman: “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, he is running for his dear life.
“He is desperately trying to escape the theatre disguised as a woman dressed in hijab. 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 the desperation of Shekau to escape resulted from the continued onslaught by the Nigerian troops.
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“The 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 hostage 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,” he added.
While calling on members of the terrorist group to surrender, the Army spokesman called on members of the public to be security conscious and look out for Shekau and others who might be hiding themselves away in hijab.
“We therefore call on all those remaining Boko Haram terrorists to come out from hiding and lay down their arms and be treated humanely…
“While concerted efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the fugitive terrorist leader, we implore also members of the public, especially the residents of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states to be more vigilant, security conscious and be on the lookout for Abubakar Shekau and other terrorists that might disguise as women to escape.”
